Title - Railways tops in corruption complaints: CVC Last Updated: Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 13:49

Over 8,800 complaints of alleged graft against railway employees were received by the Central Vigilance Commission last year.

A total of 8,805 complaints of alleged corruption were received against Railways employees, followed by 8,430 against banks employees and 5,026 against Income tax officials, 4,783 against Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and 3,921 against Urban Development employees during 2011, the CVC said in its annual report.

Besides, the CVC received 2,960 complaints of corruption against employees working under Information and Broadcasting ministry, 1,918 against Department of Telecommunications, 1,877 against Petroleum Ministry officials, 1,544 against Food and Consumer Affairs department and 1,296 against Custom and Excise department among others, it said.

The CVC, in its report tabled in Parliament recently, also noted delays and deficiencies while processing corruption related cases by certain government departments involving senior functionaries.

"Delay in processing vigilance cases continues to be a major issue. Delays take place in processing the complaints or cases and also in taking decisions by the competent authorities who, in all cases, are senior level functionaries in the organisations.

"The Commission has been making constant efforts to sensitise all concerned about the importance of timely and efficient handling of vigilance related matters. However, it has been observed that the organisations continue to be indifferent and apathetic," the report said.

However, the CVC annual report for 2011 did not have any mention of probe related to alleged corruption in Commonwealth Games related projects.

The probity watchdog noted that the investigation report in respect of 1,406 complaints forwarded to the Chief vigilance Officers of concerned departments, who act as an extended arm of the CVC, were pending with them.

A highest of 182 complaints were pending for investigation and report with Delhi Government, 156 with Municipal Corporation of Delhi, 49 with Delhi Development Authority,48 each with Ministry of Defence and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, and 42 with Department of Secondary and Higher Education among others, it said.

The Commission has received a total of 51,367 complaints of alleged corruption against government officials working in various departments between January and December last year. Of these, 34,380 were disposed and 16,987 were pending with the departments.

In addition, 6,910 complaints of corruption sent by the CVC to the CVO of concerned department were pending for more than six months, it said. The CVC noted delay in the implementation of its advice recommending punishment to corrupt officials.

"Any delay in the implementation of Commission's advice which is tendered after due consideration of all facts before it reflects poorly on the state of vigilance administration of the organisation concerned.

"The Commission notes with concern that at the end of the year 2011, as many as 1,525 cases were pending for over six months for the implementation of Commission's first stage advice," the report said.

The Chief Technical Examination wing of the Commission effected a recovery of Rs 88.90 crore during the year after conducting technical examination of public procurement and other works carried out by certain government departments. During 2009 and 2010, the CVC has effected a recovery of Rs 68.61 crore and Rs 58.70 crore respectively.