Vigilance chief Jacob Thomas seeks more staff

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) director Jacob Thomas has sought a 30 per cent enhancement in the strength of the agency to ensure effective investigation and timely completion of cases. The agency is also contemplating setting up a new special investigation unit to strengthen the anti-corruption machinery which is now struggling to clear the pendency of cases.

The present strength of officers in VACB is around 125 whereas about 400 vigilance investigations are pending with the agency. It has been pointed out that most investigations are taking years to complete owing to the acute staff shortage. This is even affecting the conviction rate of vigilance cases, which has now came down to around 60 per cent against 80 per cent about five years ago.

“There is no option to clear the pendency of cases other than enhancing the strength of the agency,” Dr Thomas told DC. Vigilance sources said that a proposal to set up a special investigation unit (SIU) in central Kerala was under consideration. At present there are two SIUs, both in Thiruvananthapuram. All sensitive cases including the bar bribery case are handled by SIUs and these cases would require more time for completion.

The VACB is now planning to moot one more SIU, probably in Ernakulam or Thrissur. Apart from the pendency of cases under investigations, over 500 vigilance cases are pending trial and over 350 cases are under appeal. “With the opening of new courts at Thalassery and Muvatupuzha recently, the number of court has  gone up to six. This may bring in some relief in pendency of cases under trial.".