Our nation’s broad experience is that eradication of corruption is an uphill task. For some years in the past, fierce debate has been going on in Government as well as civil society circles on the necessity, means and methods of eradicating corruption from administration. In fact, a civil movement under Anna Hazre’s leadership made strong rumblings for quite some time but ultimately it fizzled out. We have been keeping a track of how the Government has been adopting half-hearted measures in combating corruption and how some officials have been manipulating things to shield the corrupt at the cost of national interests. It is very sad that our country is considered one among the most corrupt countries of the world. Whether it is or is not, is a different matter, but the label has been appended to our name and we have not done enough to get rid of this defamation.
Our State Government has been vociferous in claiming to have elaborate arrangement of fighting corruption. True, fairly large and comprehensive machinery has been set up in the State to deal with this menace. We have the State Vigilance Commission and we have the State Vigilance Organization. Government provides these agencies with requisite infrastructure, funds and facilities to carry on their duty with competence and meticulousness. With this arrangement in place, what the people want to know is their performance and delivery. Civil society judges them along these parameters. While appreciating positive performance of these organizations, and the dedication with which they want to play their role, there are some questions that have become source of irritation and the Government must respond. Why is the State Vigilance Organization without the chief boss for last four and a half month? Why is this organization deficit in crucial cadres like Investigation Officers who are the backbone of the organization? Why is the Government agreeing to make temporary appointment of the Director or in-charge appointment of the head of the institution knowing well that this demoralizes the organization and hampers its performance besides incapacitating it for floating innovative schemes and ideas? The critical question is does not treating the main anti-corruption organization so shabbily sends a negative message across the board that fight against corruption is not of great and pressing concern for the Government? If it is so, what are the compulsions for the Government to go public and say that it is going to act strongly against corruption? Authorities should have known well before time that the post of Director of SVO will be falling vacant subsequent to the superannuation of the incumbent and it should have taken a quick decision for replacement and not allowed huge time gap. Absence of a full time Director of the organization leaves many gaps in efficient administration.
In addition to this, shortage of IOs has seriously hampered the work of the organizations. Investigation Officers are the crucial instruments of this organization. In their absence, FIRs against suspected corrupt persons cannot be lodged or pursued. When this important function remains in doldrums, how can we say that the State is taking necessary steps to stem corruption in its administration? The Government has to come out with the reason for not filling the posts of IOs and thus deliberately paralyzing the organization. The question is whether the Government is interested in deliberately procrastinating recruitment of IOs so that inquiry proceedings against indicted functionaries are stalled.
Yet one more irritating question raised in civil society circles is why despite tall promises of initiating the process of restructuring of this anti-graft body there is no movement in that direction. Before the formulation of PDP-BJP Coalition Government, Governor N.N. Vohra had taken some initiative. Regrettably that has not continued. This has not left a good impression and people are not happy that the initiative has been stalled. We all know that two and a half decade-long turmoil has left some serious negative impact on our society. Some anti-social elements have tried to misuse the difficulties of the Government to their advantage and to the disadvantage of the nation. Sloth and lethargy that has crept into administration are its reflections. Therefore, the Government has to establish its authority and sway over entire administrative structure. Corruption may have crept into the structure raised to contain corruption. It is nothing surprising given the traits of human nature. Therefore, the Government has to initiate a strong measure of making the vigilance agencies functional and responsible in every respect.
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