Send all details while seeking nod to prosecute corrupt:Centre

The Centre has asked CBI, central government ministries and states to send complete proposals while seeking sanction for prosecution against corrupt bureaucrats, to avoid inordinate delays.
It said the Supreme Court has observed that there is an obligation on the sanctioning authority to discharge its duty to give or withhold sanction only after having full knowledge of the material facts of the case.
"Grant of sanction is not a mere formality," an order issued to central government ministries, states, CBI and CVC by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said.
It said the apex court has explicitly laid down guidelines for grant of sanction for prosecution which need to be complied with.

The move comes after delay was noticed in many cases seeking sanction for prosecution involving corrupt bureaucrats.
About 17 cases involving 37 central government officials are pending sanction for prosecution for more than four months, according to a latest data of the CVC.

Of these, a highest of six cases are pending with the Ministry of Personnel -- which is a nodal authority for anti-corruption and other matters, two each with Bank of India and Defence Ministry.
One case each related to Finance Ministry, Home Ministry, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, State Bank of India, State Bank of Patiala, Industrial Development Bank of India and Gramin Bank is also pending sanction for prosecution, the CVC data said.

As per the norms, sanction for prosecution requests have to be decided within the four-month time.
The Personnel Ministry has also started a single-window clearance system to avoid inordinate delays in dealing with corruption cases. It has also come out with a checklist for authorities handling corruption cases involving bureaucrats and sought mandatory compliance with the same as part of the new system.
It has been conveyed that complete proposals as per the checklist would only be accepted for further detailed scrutiny and examination to consider sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988, the Ministry said.
"All administrative authorities are requested to adhere to the aforesaid guidelines while deciding grant of sanction for prosecution," it said in the order.