THE CENTRAL Vigilance Commission (CVC) is examining possibilities for arming its officers with the necessary powers to bring corrupt officials to book, Central Vigilance Commissioner R N Vittal said today.
There are about 590 Central Vigilance Officers (CVOs) in the country and the CVC is examining the possibility of giving them 'police powers' to implement the traps for corrupt officials effectively and legally, Mr Vittal said while addressing a state-level convention of the Tamil Nadu Consumer Council here.
The Commission was also contemplating identifying about 20 honorary vigilance advisors in every block or taluk, who could be authorised to visit any government organisation, public sector bank or PSU and bring corruption cases to the notice of the CVC or to initiate action with the help of corruption cells or CVOs.
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It had been found that departmental action against officials named by the CVC was getting delayed, he said, adding that the CVC would issue reminders to correct the delay tactics and lethargy. The CVC had taken up with the Law Commission the preparation of the draft of an act, on the lines of the Public Disclosures Act of the UK. It would encourage whistle-blowing and keep the names of those who complain secret, he said.
India ranked 73rd on the 1999 Corruption Perception Index for 99 countries by Transparency International, an NGO based in Berlin, Mr Vittal said, adding that the CVC was committed to the ambitious goal of reaching the ranking of at least 40, if not 30, by September 2002, he said.
Mr Vittal said the country's economy had been greatly affected by corruption and inefficiency in four specific departments - customs, excise, income tax and Enforcement Directorate. This, he said, had resulted in the crystallisation of a large chunk of black money - estimated from Rs 40,000 crore to nearly Rs 1,00,000 crore.
Mr Vittal said the CVC would suggest to the Supreme Court, with the backup of consumer activists, to get a declaration that it is the fundamental right of every citizen to get corruption-free service from every public office.
Mr Vittal added that 60 Central Government departments had already come out with a Citizen's Charter. The CVC had asked all departments and also Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Shanta Kumar to include a condition that all services would be made available without any corruptive procedures and to modify the charter as per the "declared rights of the citizen."