The support shown by CM Bhagwant Mann and Chief Secy to Vigilance Bureau in the past few days has been a great help to the department. Reportedly, from the time CM issued a letter regarding the strike of PCS officers, other departments have also become careful. The Vigilance Bureau has reported an increase in the sanction of pending cases.
The Chief of Vigilance Bureau in a meeting with CM Mann and Chief Secretary VK Janjua stated that their crackdown on corruption has slowed down due to delays in the sanction of prosecutions by various departments. In the meeting that took place between CM Mann and higher officials of the Vigilance Bureau few days back, it was discussed that AAP’s zero tolerance against corruption goal is getting hindered due to pendency in cases that should be resolved soon.
Based on the data, the total number of cases pending for Prosecution Sanction u/s 19 PC Act are 65 whereas total number of cases pending for previous approval u/s 17-A PC Act are 51.
This letter issued by CM Mann indirectly supported the working of the Vigilance Bureau which has boosted their confidence as well. As per sources, various ministers and leaders are now under the scanner of VB. As inquiry has been initiated against NJP General Secy Punjab Gurpreet Kangar in DA case. Capt. Amarinder Singh, Balbir Sindhu, Charanjit Singh Channi are likely to be the next on VB’s list.
Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has been able to arrest total 172 accused in 129 bribery cases which includes 83 accused in 65 trap cases and 89 persons in 64 online complaints in the last year. The Vigilance Bureau has set a record in registration of bribery cases, arrests of accused in corruption, registration of criminal cases and arrests made thereof besides filling of vigilance enquiries (VE) and suspects involved in these probes as compared to the last two years. Vigilance Bureau has been working day and night to reduce corruption but pendency mainly from GST and Forest Department are creating an obstacle in their working.
Although the bureaucracy does not seem to very happy with the letter issued by CM. CM in his letter wrote that some of the officers were not present at their duty in the name of a strike and this would never be tolerated under his government. He added that a strike was going on against the department’s action against corrupt officers. He stated that their government has a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and such strikes are an obstacle in this working which is not tolerable. He declared all the strikes going on illegal.