Don't take action on anonymous graft complaints: CVC to departments

There is no need to take action on anonymous or pseudonymous complaints of corruption against government employees, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has said.

In its directive to all ministries and public sector undertakings, the Commission said that such complaints only needed to be filed. 

The directive to all ministries and public sector undertakings comes after CVC received references from departments and organisations seeking clarification on the action to be taken on anonymous or pseudonymous complaints, which were acted upon. 

"No action should be taken on anonymous or pseudonymous complaints in line with Commission's present instructions dated November 25, 2014 and such complaints should be filed," it said. 

The anti-corruption watchdog has been clarifying on the issue since 1999. In its guidelines issued yesterday, the CVC said the action pursued on anonymous or pseudonymous complaints prior to the issue of 1999 circular can be "pursued further to its logical end". 

Material or evidence gathered during the investigation or verification of anonymous complaints when the action was prohibited on such complaints, or when such enquiry was initiated without the approval of the CVC, can be utilised for further initiation of disciplinary proceedings on misconducts noticed in such verification or enquiry, it said. 

The Commission usually gets a number of complaints against a government employee when he or she is being considered for a senior level post or for some important assignment, a senior CVC official said. 

"The intention behind filing such a complaint is intended to delay the process of granting vigilance clearance to an employee. People have been asked to give verifiable details of corruption charges along with their details so that prompt action can be taken against guilty and to ensure that honest officers are not harassed," he said. 

The CVC gives vigilance clearance to senior government officials being considered for foreign postings, central deputation or other appointments. 

All Chief Vigilance Officers--who act as distant arm of the CVC--have been asked to follow these latest guidelines while processing anonymous and pseudonymous corruption complaints, the official said.

Source : The Economic Times