Official calls for vigilance mechanism to curb graft

Lok Ayukta Additional Director-General of Police Roopak Kumar Dutta today called for setting up of preventive vigilance mechanism in all departments to curb corruption. Speaking at a function organised to observe ''Vigilance Week'' at the Miller Road branch of Syndicate Bank here, he regretted that no state had implemented it, except Delhi. It was very difficult to tackle corruption at higher levels unless proper systems and procedures were put in place, he observed.

Explaining the activities of various anti-corruption institutions such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, Anti Corruption Bureau and Lok Ayukta across the country, he said mere registering cases would be of no use unless there was dedication to wipe out corruption. In this context he referred to the withdrawal of suo motu power given to the Lok Ayukta in Karnataka in 1986, and said the same power was not withdrawn in case of Upa Lok Ayukta which deals with corruption cases at lower levels. Exhorting the need to have anti-corruption ethos, he said people should stop encouraging corruption by giving money. It was unfortunate that only two types of people approach Lok Ayukta, those harassed by officials and those who were unable to meet the ''hefty demands'' by officials.

Quoting the example of Hong Kong, which successfully fought corruption over last few years following recommendations made by Independent Agency Against Corruption, Mr Dutta said the rampant corruption in that country had been curbed to a great extent. If Hong Kong could do it, it could be done more efficiently in India, provided there was a crusade against the evil practice, he felt.

-- (UNI) -- 06MS54.xml

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