Title - The Hindu : News / National : Railways tops list in corruption, says CVC

Railways topped the list of government organisations in 2011 against whom a maximum number of complaints of corruption-nearly 9,000-were received by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

As many as 8,805 complaints of alleged corruption were received against Railways employees followed by 8,430 against bank employees and 5,026 against Income Tax officials, the CVC said in its annual report.

A total of 4,783 complaints were received against personnel in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and 3,921 against employees working under Urban Development Ministry during 2011.

Besides, the CVC has got 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, the report 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 report said.

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

A highest of 182 complaints were pending for investigation and a 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.