Department Heads Should Act as Watchdogs to Tackle Corruption

Series of raids have taken place in the last one year that led to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) exposing many senior and high-profile officers.

- 

While the BJP government is pushing a zero tolerance policy to the graft charges in Rajasthan, ACB's role has been increasingly significant to remove such officers. However, the delay in getting prosecution sanction against officers, staff shortage, and several infrastructure issues remain a challenge for the agency.

In an interview to Senjuti Sengupta, ACB director general Ravi Prakash Meharda spoke about his tenure in the last one year and the way ahead for the agency. Edited excerpts:

It's been almost a year since you took charge of the ACB. What are the changes you have brought in the agency in line with the vision of 'Zero Tolerance' policy?

The last one year has been very successful. To adhere to the government's zero tolerance policy, we have also set a few parameters to prioritize and ensure a better investigation system and increase the rate of conviction. Hence, the quality and timeline of the probe and prosecution rate, along with reduction in the pendency of old cases, is in focus. We have many cases pending which are more than 10 years old. After I joined, I wanted to get these cases listed and dispose them in a timely manner. If an agency is loaded with too many old cases, it is not possible for them to look into the future and work in a fast-track mode. This only decreases their efficiency. I have directed the officers to sit with the investigating officers of each case and make a plan of action to dispose them. I am happy to share that we have been able to build a new work culture in the last one year.

A significant number of raids have taken place against several senior officers in the last one year. How many such high profile officers are under ACB's radar and how are you planning to take action against them?