Banks delay action against nearly 100 corrupt officers

As per norms, matter of granting sanction for prosecution has to be decided within four months

Public sector banks have delayed action against nearly 100 corrupt officers despite the uproar over cases of bank fraud and non-performing assets, according to a CVC report.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is awaiting sanction to prosecute 98 banks officials, including those at the level of Senior Manager, Chief Manager and General Manager allegedly involved in financial irregularities, for over the last four months.

Sanction for prosecution is also awaited in these 43 cases against 49 government officials. Of the 43 cases, the highest number of seven are pending with Indian Overseas Bank, two each with State Bank of India and Bank of India, and one each with Oriental Bank of Commerce, Corporation Bank, State Bank of Patiala, Exim Bank, Bank of Baroda, as per CVC's performance report for February.

As per norms, the matter of granting sanction for prosecution has to be decided within four months.

"We have been raising the issue of delay in grant of sanction to prosecute corrupt officers in various inter- ministerial meetings. But still the number of cases continue to rise. We will write again to all the departments where such cases are pending," a senior CVC official said.

Interestingly, six cases involving at least ten government officers, most of them belonging to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), are pending with Department of Personnel and Training, which acts as the Centre's nodal authority responsible for enforcing anti-corruption measures.

Three cases each seeking sanction to prosecute corrupt officials are pending with Defence Ministry and Steel Ministry (Steel Authority of India), two each with Home, Finance, Railways, and Health and Family Welfare ministries, among others, the CVC said.

"In five cases involving eight officials (two cases pertaining to Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions, one case of SAIL, one case of State Bank of India and one case of Bank of Baroda), Commission agreed with the departments and organisations that sanction for prosecution is not necessary. However, final action taken or decision is awaited," the probity watchdog said.

Citing a Supreme Court order, the CVC has already told all departments that "time limit of three months for grant of sanction for prosecution must be strictly adhered to. However, additional time of one month may be allowed where consultation is required with the Attorney General or any other law officer in the AG's office".