CVC to fast-track probe in Rs 10 cr fraud cases; those agnst top bankers, babus

NEW DELHI, July 17:
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has decided to fast-track probe in cases involving fraud of over Rs 10 crore and against top bank officials and bureaucrats.
Besides, cases involving government employees due to retire within the next six months and those against retired officers will also be prioritised for time-bound completion of investigation.
The cases referred to the anti-graft watchdog by Supreme and High courts, and being monitored by them, besides those referred by Prime Minister’s Office or Committees of Parliament seeking specific report or attention will also be given priority.
The decision comes after the probity watchdog took a “serious note of huge delays in finalisation of vigilance cases” and decided to fast-track important ones.
Cases involving serious misconduct like bribery, embezzlement of government funds, forgery, frauds of amounts exceeding Rs 10 crore and cases of nature of scam which attracted national public attention and which are likely to have a deterrent or demonstrative effect on other employees or officers shall be considered as fast track cases, the CVC said in a missive to secretaries of all central government departments.
The cases against board-level officers in public sector undertakings, banks, insurance companies and autonomous bodies and those against officers of the rank of Additional Secretary and above in central government and in all India services— Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS)—will also be fast- tracked, it said.
Cases wherein retirement of a charged officer is due within next six months and in case of retired government officers within the limitation period shall be processed on fast-track basis, the directive said.
All government departments and Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs)—who act as distant arm of the Commission—have been asked to “take stock of the pendency so that action could be taken within the specified time limits”. (PTI)