CVC recorded 113% rise in graft-related plaints in 2012--Times of India-01. 09.2013
NEW DELHI: Reflecting the larger national mood against corruption, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) saw a staggering jump of over 110% in the number of complaints received by the integrity institution last year.
"The Commission received more than 37,000 complaints during 2012 as compared to 17,407 complaints in 2011 which is 113% more than that of previous year," says the annual CVC report. Among them were over 800 whistleblower complaints, under which the identity of the complainant is protected.
Of the total 37,208 complaints received, about 7,500 were dismissed because they were either vague or based on anonymous complaints. Of the rest , 24,880 were regarding state governments or departments that were not under CVC jurisdiction, so were forwarded to them. Of all the complaints, only 913 were "found serious enough to warrant further follow up" and they were sent to the CBI or department vigilance officers for investigation. "The fact is that the number of complaints has jumped hugely, but the quality of complaints has not improved," an official said.
The Commission points out that a "large number of complaints being received are anonymous/pseudonymous in nature. In majority of such complaints, the intention of the complainant is to harass someone rather than reporting corrupt activities." However, to ensure that anonymous complaints are not misused the CVC has issued instructions to seek its prior approval before beginning an inquiry based on anonymous complaints.
During 2012, it may not be surprising to note that the maximum number of punishments (537) was imposed by the CVC on the ministry of railways. Next was the Central Board of Excise and Customs with 206, followed by Syndicate Bank (229). Next in the list are State of Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India and Department of Telecommunication and Services. The Delhi Development Authority alone had 51 cases where punishments were meted out.
The annual report also talks about one of the worst kept secrets of vigilance administration, of ministries and departments selectively implementing CVC's recommendations or ignoring it altogether. Railways and Delhi Development Authority are the leading culprits in this category.
Besides, the sensational scandal regarding the coal block allocation, the CVC in 2012 also found several other grave corruption cases. Among them were:
A Bihar TV channel group had obtained Rs 2,700 crore from a group of banks led by Punjab National Bank. The CVC found that the TV group claimed to have bought non-existent equipment from their own group companies. A CBI probe is underway.
A group of banks lend Rs 350 crore to a company for manufacturing castor oil, but the money was siphoned off by promoters.
A company into manpower supply was lend Rs 3,200 crore by a consortium of 25 banks led by Punjab National Bank. CVC has detected an unsubstantiated increase of over Rs 450 crore in the company's capital base, and also suspects FEMA violations.
It also found serious irregularities in credit linked insurance scheme operated by State Trading Corporation. The investigation showed that the scam was worth over Rs 725 crore.
CVC examination led to the recovery of Rs 41.8 crore towards workers welfare cess from contractors of Commonwealth Games. And Central Board of Excise and Customs recovered Rs 67.33 crore in service tax from the same contractors.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CVC-recorded-113-rise-in-graft-related-plaints-in-2012/articleshow/22197201.cms
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