Tribunal has no officer for 3 years
There are cases where officials have been let off with minor punishments.
Hyderabad: Over 50 cases forwarded by the Anti-Corruption Bureau to the Secretariat seeking permission to prosecute corrupt officers have been referred for inquiry in the last two years.
Former High Court judge Justice Reddappa Reddy, president of the Forum for Good Governance, said that the disciplinary proceedings tribunal had no judicial officer for three years. As many as 300 cases were pending at the Tribunal, and 100 more in the CoI without any action being taken, Justice Reddy said.
Records show that some ACB trap cases, which which officials were caught taking a bribe, have been pending for seven years in the tribunal. Many times, cases referred to the head of departments takes years for clearance. There are cases where officials have been let off with minor punishments.
Mr M. Padmanabha Reddy, a retired government official who works with the Forum for Good Governance, said, “If the state government differs with the Vigilance Comm-issioner’s report, the file should be marked to the Chief Minister and approval obtained.”
He said all cases in which the government differs should be produced in the Legislative Council, where it should explain why it does not agree with the Vigilance Commissioner’s report.
“Neither has the CM’s approval been taken nor information placed on the floor of the Council, Mr Padmanabha Reddy said.
Dr G. Srinivasulu, Ranga Reddy ACB DSP, said it was mandatory for the agency to seek approval for further prosecution. After ACB booking a corrupt officer conducting a detailed inquiry, the ACB writes to the government for prosecution orders and to file a chargesheet before the court.”