THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF government’s much-hyped initiative in its 100-day programme to bring in a Whistle-Blower Protection Policy remains on paper even after four years.
A committee headed by former chief secretary Mohan Kumar had submitted a set of proposals for drafting the policy and also suggested many deterrence measures. The report was submitted to the government in July, 2012. However, no steps have been taken to implement them.
According to a senior government official, former additional chief secretary Niveditha P Haran was directed to take necessary steps for implementing the Mohan Kumar panel recommendations.
But nothing happened thereafter. The members of the committee are also quite upset over the disregard being shown by the government to their effort.
Former director of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Samuel Paul, former DGP Hormis Tharakan and chief executive officer of ipaidbribe.com Reghunandan were the other members.
“We had prepared the report and drafted recommendations after holding several sittings and referring many materials. We obviously feel dejected that the government literally dumped the report,” said a member who preferred anonymity.
According to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s announcement in 2011, the policy would be on the lines of Chief Vigilance Commission’s whistle-blower protection policy for providing protection to informants of corruption. It was also announced that an administrative setup will be made in the CM’s office to receive confidential information about corruption.
“With only less than one year left for the UDF government, the chances of reviving such an initiative is very remote,” a government official said.
Interestingly, many senior government officials are even unaware of such an initiative.
