CVC awaits sanction to prosecute 58 government officials for graft

NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission is awaiting sanction from different departments for over four months to prosecute 58 government employees, including some IAS and IRS officials, for their alleged involvement in corruption.

As per norms, sanction for prosecution has to be decided within four-month time.

Of the total 32 cases, the highest of six cases are pending with the Department of Personnel and Training, which acts as nodal organisation on anti-corruption measures, and three each with Railways, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, and Steel ministries, according to latest CVC data.

Two cases each are pending with Bank of India and Finance Ministry, and one each with Oriental Bank of Commerce, Corporation Bank, State Bank of Patiala, Exim Bank, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Home Ministry, Commerce Ministry, Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, and Telecommunications Ministry, it said.

As many as 58 officials, including officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Revenue Service (IRS), are involved in alleged corruption in these cases.

The anti-corruption watchdog has given reminders to the departments concerned to speed up the cases of pending prosecution sanction.

Citing a Supreme Court order, CVC has told the departments that "time limit of three months for grant of sanction for prosecution must be strictly adhered to. However, additional time of one month may be allowed where consultation is required with the Attorney General or any other law officer in the AG's office".