Govt depts' selective approach in graft cases irks CVC

The Central Vigilance Commission has slammed selective approach of some government departments for their failure to follow its advice against officials accused of corruption.
The CVC has found 20 cases in Railways Ministry, State Bank of India (SBI) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), among others where officials were not punished or let off with minor penalties, according to its annual report 2014.
The Commission has observed that in the last year there were deviations from its advice.
"Instances of some organisations letting off delinquent officials without punishment or with lighter penalties convey wrong signals to the entire organisational set-up that wrong doers can go scot-free and emboldens other officers also to resort to abuse of their position or powers," it said.

Further, there have been instances where the advices tendered by the Commission have been diluted considerably without approaching the Commission for reconsideration of its advice, said the annual report, which was tabled in Parliament recently.
Of the total cases of non-compliance and selective approach, a highest of four each involved Railways Ministry and SBI, three in DDA, two each in North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Besides, one case each involved the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Delhi Transport Corporation, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Indian Rare Earths Ltd and National Highways Authority of India.