Status on Action Against Corrupt Officers

The CBI seeks sanction for prosecution of Government Servants in respect of Prevention of Corruption Act cases under section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. As on 31.10.2011, there are 189 number of requests for prosecution sanction pending with various Central Government Ministries/Departments/State Governments.

During the year 2011, CBI has filed charge-sheets against 782 public servants in Prevention of Corruption Act cases. According to information furnished by CBI, sanction for prosecution has been denied by different departments in respect of 85 numbers of public servants during the year 2011.

There is no centralized data reflecting the reasons for denial of such sanctions. Such denial is generally based on merits of individual cases by the concerned Disciplinary authority.

Several steps have been taken by the Government to combat corruption and to improve the functioning of Government. These include:-

(i)    Issue of Whistle Blowers Resolution, 2004 and the introduction of the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons making the Disclosure Bill, 2010 in the Parliament;

(ii)    Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005;

(iii)    The pro-active involvement of Ministry/Department through Annual Action Plan on Vigilance as a preventive measure;

(iv)    Issue of comprehensive instructions on transparency in tendering and contracting process by the CVC;

(v)    Issue of instructions by the CVC asking the organizations to adopt Integrity Pact in major Government procurement activities; Similar instructions have been issued by the Central Government on 16th June 2009 advising the State Governments to adopt Integrity Pact in major procurements;

(vi)    Introduction of e-Governance and simplification of procedures and systems;

(vii)    Issue of Citizen Charters.

(viii)    Acceptance of the First Report of the Group of Ministers to consider measures that can be taken by the Government to tackle corruption.

(ix)    Introduction of the Lokpal Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha.

(x)    Ratification of United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

(xi)    Introduction of the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organizations Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha.

(xii)    Introduction of the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 in the Parliament.

(xiii)    Placing details of immovable property returns of Members of the All India Services and Group 'A' officers of the Central Government in the public domain.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Shri V.Narayanasamy in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha