CVC for association of anti-corruption bodies to check graft

The Central Vigilance Commission today supported setting up of an association of Indian anti-corruption agencies within the country to check graft.

"We will have to join hands together to fight the multi- faceted monster called corruption. My proposal would be to set up an Indian Association of anti-corruption agencies and make it a workable solution," Vigilance Commissioner R Srikumar said during 11th All India Lokayuktas Conference here.

He said it will help in fighting corruption effectively and bringing back public faith to the system.

"Such an association will help in sharing data base. This will be a networking association. It will be useful in sharing of information responsibly," the VC said.

Srikumar said that CVC has been chosen to head a task force worldwide, set up by international association of anti-corruption agencies, for knowledge management.
Speaking on the role of vigilance and investigating agencies, he said there are lot of deficiencies in their functioning.

"We are walking a lonely path. Hardly do we join hands together. Our record in nailing corrupt is very dismal and it is responsible for calling public apathy," he said.

Srikumar said from board rooms to streets, the topic of corruption is occupying the centre stage. "Everyone is talking about corruption. There is no talk as to how can we strengthen the institution in tackling corruption.

"We need to think of measures to bring about necessary reforms, to be able to gain confidence of public and being able to march ahead towards the straight objective of removal of corruption. That is the conclusion we would like to reach," he said.

Citing a case study on the fate of corruption cases between 1980-84, Srikumar said there was a considerable delay in the process.

"There is no certainty on punishment for corruption. That is why corruption increases. We need many changes, many reforms in anti-corruption agencies. Some of them could be attitudinal, legislative and financial.

"Our philosophy has been to watch them, catch and punish. But now we have to reach them, teach them and then name and shame them," he said.

Srikumar, a former IPS officer who has held many important posts including Director General of Karnataka Police, said there was a need for reforms in the police forces.

Citing a Supreme Court decision on a PIL filed by former IPS officer Prakash Singh on police reforms, he said about a dozen out of 30 states have changed the policing laws.
He said resource crunch is also coming in a way both in terms of skilled manpower and in terms of financial allocation.

"There is dearth of investigating tool, proper investigators and skilled and capacity building instruments.We need to strengthen the investigation agency. There is also a resource crunch for skilled manpower," he said.

Srikumar cited success of 'Vig Eye' -- an e-initiative by the anti-corruption watchdog to fight corruption.

"We get complaints of both pretty and grand corruption through Vig Eye. 50 per cent of the cases belongs to State government jurisdictions which we send them to State Governments' Chief Secretaries.

"But the thing is at least 35 per cent cases are coming through this mechanism. So we need to strengthen the mechanism. We also need BPO, KPO and sufficient back up and publicity needs to be given," the VC said.

Srikumar said there was also a need of a multi- jurisdiction technologically supported probe team so that no single officer can derail the investigation.