Thiruvananthapuram: Uncertainties created by the tussle between IAS officers and the Vigilance director pose a big question mark over the LDF Government’s commitment to clean up the administration, for which it had resolved to set up a commission to revamp the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Experts say it was high time that the Vigilance was given functional autonomy and experienced officers with integrity are appointed to crucial posts, including that of the Vigilance chief.
The LDF manifesto for the 2016 Assembly elections says: “A big popular campaign will be started against corruption and inefficiency. In order to ensure an unadulterated civil service and incorrupt public activity, comprehensive changes will be made in Prevention of Corruption Act and Kerala Lok Ayukta Act.
“The present arrangement is inadequate to provide transparent and convincing data about the assets of public workers and to throw light among the people of their wealth in other states or countries.
“A Commission will be appointed to examine all these matters and submit suggestions within three months. Vigilance will be made an independent agency of enquiry. Suggestions for these will also be subject of consideration by the above-mentioned Commission”.
However, even after eight months in office, the LDF has not initiated steps to form the commission or give functional freedom to the anti-corruption agency. Appointments of Vigilance officials and rights to grant prosecution sanction in Vigilance cases, key ingredients of vigilance's functional freedom, still vest with the government.
Former DGP and Vigilance director K.J. Joseph told DC that in order to make the anti-corruption agency independent, it should be given powers to decide whether to initiate a probe on a petition received by it or not. The anti-corruption agency should be also given powers to file the charge-sheet instead of awaiting a leisurely prosecution sanction from the government.
He also said stature, maturity, calibre and quality of main cleanup officer (director) was a key factor determining the efficiency of the agency. Specific norms for selecting the Vigilance chief should be framed and the practice of changing Vigilance director as the government changes should be done away with.
Mr Joseph also recalled that during his tenure as the Vigilance director during the Nayanar Government, no official was posted to the Vigilance with the clearance of the director.
