Soon after getting Cabinet’s nod, the Government has come up with final blueprint for setting up a refurbished corruption related investigative agency named as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)on Thursday.
The Bureau would work against graft charges leveled against public servants for that the Government had decided to bring in an Ordinance with provision to confiscate properties amassed through illegal means.
After a high level meeting held by Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba, it has been decided that a special unit in the agency would function under the supervision and control of Vigilance Commissioner where decided officials would be appointed and sent on deputations.
The officials would get a fixed term based on their merit and skill. A technical wing fitted with CAs, auditors and specialists would be set up to conduct inquiries without any hassle and in a speedy manner.
Total six independent and effective persecuting units would be made at the top level while units at every division would be set up under SP rank officials. A separate cell of the Bureau would be started at Dhanbad that would focus on the cases related to coal theft and would be laden with DSP and Inspector rank officials. Appointment of the officials would be done on the recommendations of a high-level committee and get a fixed term.
ACB need not to take consent from the Government at every level of investigation but it can start probe soon based on any information. Process of lodging complaint and starting the proceeding would also be eased out. The Bureau would be independent in collecting information about unaccounted properties in secret manner.
In the meeting, it has also been decided to appoint a chief vigilance officer in every department that would assist the ACB related to the complaints coming from there. Vigilance Commissioner would appoint the officer through transparent process. All the top officials of Home, Finance, Personnel and Vigilance Bureau were present in the meeting