Strengthen whistle-blower mechanism in state-run entities: CVC

Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) K V Chowdary today said the whistle-blower mechanism in state-owned entities should be strengthened to prevent corruption and irregularities.
The vigilance officers could be efficient, but the internal whistle-blower mechanism would offer good inputs to them regarding prevalence of corruption, he said.
The former bureaucrat cited some examples of corruption and irregularities being prevented or stopped at the last minute with minimum loss.
"There is a very strong need for involving your people," he said, delivering the key note address at the 14th anniversary celebrations of Vigilance Study Circle, a think- tank in vigilance administration.
Talking to reporters later, the chief of the anti- corruption watchdog said the important thing to note in graft cases is whether conviction has been secured or not.

Refusing to be drawn into the issue of allegations by some political leaders that investigation agencies like CBI are misused at the behest of government of the day, he said the ultimate thing is whether conviction has been done or not.

"Ultimately, what we have to see is, whether the investigating agency has been able to frame a case and file in the court. The court is not controlled by the government or the CBI.
"There are cases where courts have passed strictures against the CBI for not doing good work. There are cases where the CBI has been praised and the person has been convicted," Chowdary said.

The result of the investigation shows whether a case is motivated or genuine, the CVC maintained. "We, as government servants, cannot join issue with political statements."
The Central Vigilance Commission is upgrading vigilance manual for vigilance officers which is expected to be released in a month, Chowdary said.