In all its likelihood, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), the setting up of which was approved by the state Cabinet last month to rein in corruption in the administration, will start functioning from the end of September.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was indifferent to appointing the Lokayukta, chose to set up the ACB — a model adopted by many other states.
“It’s a welcome move that the West Bengal government is setting up a strong ACB. However, it is nothing new. Most of other states have already done it,’’ former Union Home Secretary G K Pillai told The Indian Express.
The ACB, which will probe against complaints of administrative irregularities and corruption, will be headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General (IG). There will be also one DIG, two SPs, four DSPs, eight Inspectors, eight Sub-Inspectors and eight Assistant Sub-Inspectors. The body will be accountable to the chief minister.
“This is a body, which will have the full powers of lodging FIRs, seizing materials, and arresting an employee indulging in corruption. So far, we had the Vigilance Commission, which was a toothless body. With the new body in place, our fight against corruption will increase,’’ said state Law Minister Moloy Ghatak.
“At present, the Home department is working on where to set up the branch. An office is also being readied for the functioning, and personnel from the state and Kolkata Police are being requisitioned,” he added.
Besides, the Trinamool Congress-led government has also “strengthened” the Vigilance Commission, a statutory body for probing complaints of corruption against government employees.
The government has now made the commission a three-member body from a single member body that was in operation during the Left Front government. The government has also bestowed the chairperson of the commission the status of a High Court judge. The commission will investigate cases either suo moto or after receiving complaints. After the investigation is over, it would make recommendations to the state government.
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