Srinagar, July 30: Minister of State for Home and Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, has said that the State Vigilance Organization over the years has been taking appropriate measures to trap and apprehend corrupt elements from any public utility department indulging in receiving bribe in which common man is directly affected.
The Minister was addressing XIth State Level Departmental Vigilance Officers Conference at SKICC here today.
Chief Secretary, M. Madhav Lal, Director General Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary, Home, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner Vigilance, P. L. Gupta, Commissioner Secretary GAD, Muhammad Sayed Khan, IGPs of various wings, besides, Commissioner Secretaries and heads of the departments and DVOs were present on the occasion.
Nasir Aslam Wani said to cite an example, registration of vehicles, issuance of licenses, state subjects, ration tickets or cards has been a problem area where people have suffered. Nasir said the government would extend full support to the Vigilance Department for taking any action against any corrupt officials. He made it clear that no immunity shall be given to any corrupt person against whom prosecution is sought by the Vigilance Organization.
For an organization that receives on average 4,000 to 5,000 complaints annually, Nasir said that the department is doing a commendable job adding that the government is committed to ask the Vigilance Organization to go whole-hog against corrupt elements predating the society. The status or party affiliations of individuals would be and should be no consideration in attacking the corrupt people, he said, adding that complainants are generally poor people and their gradual erosion of faith in the ability of the system to deliver can have serious consequences and DVOs can contribute substantially to curb the menace of corruption.
He said in 2004, Jammu and Kashmir was declared second corrupt state of the country, which was a real embarrassment for the state. However, with pro-active measures by the Vigilance department and other organizations this embarrassment is being constantly reduced, he added.
Nasir said, “We should not allow any situation to emerge where Departmental Vigilance Officers draw flak for exposing corruption. Such discouragement of these officers should be construed as tacit support to corruption. Upright and honest whistle-blowers helping the government in bringing down corruption will be rewarded through out of turn promotion”. On the pattern of CBI, the Minister said, we have to work on some incentive-based scheme in Vigilance Organization so that officials who detect corruption cases are appropriately rewarded.
He said it is unfortunate that some corrupt officials try to use law to their own advantage by muscle or money power. There should be a serious and strong public opinion against such people and anyone who attempts to cover his misdeeds in this manner would be taken to task, he added.
The Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal in his speech said that State Government has recently made Public Service Guarantee Act under which officers and officials are bound to clear the cases and provide information without any delay. He said administrative measures to curb the menace of corruption have been taken adding that all the departments should launch their own websites and keep all the information available on the departmental site.
The Chief Secretary impressed upon the officers to ensure that the public grievances are redressed as soon as possible. He said about 30,000 elected panchs and sarpanchs would be empowered soon and as many as 14 departments are likely to be brought within the ambit of Panchayats. The departments, he said keeping this in view, have to rise to the occasion and underscored the need for making departmental enquiries a routine to ensure transparency and accountability.
Earlier, Commissioner, Vigilance, P. L. Gupta in his welcome address gave detailed account of the functioning of State Vigilance Organization. He said that the purpose of departmental Vigilance Officers Conference is to make them aware about their responsibilities.
The valediction was chaired by G. R. Sufi, State Chief Information Commissioner. In his valedictory address Sufi highlighted areas where DVOs and the State Vigilance Organization needs to put an effort to achieve the desired goals of transparency allowing an efficient public delivery system.
Later, the Conference had a business session, in which question answer session was also conducted. Those who shared their experiences and put forth suggestions for curbing the corruption menace include Principal Secretary, Home, B.R. Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, GAD, Muhammad Syed Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon etc.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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