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Corruption -

 

Steps to reduce it.

 

First Step

 

First step to reduce corruption is to be taken by the central govt. of india. Section 19 of prevention of corruption Act, 1988 says that for prosecuting an alleged corrupt officer, sanction from central govt or state govt. or from appointing authority is necessary. This provision is a main hurdle in prosecution of alleged corrupt officers.

 

So the central govt., if sincere to remove corruption, must omit this provision. Otherwise it looks as if the govt is just talking to remove corruption but is actually not interested in removing corruption.

 

This provision is given hereunder for ready reference :-

 

"Section 19 of prevention of corruption Act, 1988 - . Previous sanction necessary for prosecution

(1) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under section 7, 10, 11, 13 and 15 alleged to have been committed by a public servant, except with the previous sanction,-

(a) in the case of a person who is employed in connection with the affairs of the Union and is not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the Central Government, of that Government;

(b) in the case of a person who is employed in connection with the affairs of a State and is not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the State Government, of that Government;

(c) in the case of any other person, of the authority competent to remove him from his office."

 

The Supreme Court in Vineet Narain Case (1997) quashed this practice. But after the enactment of the CVC Act, 2003, it has been restored again. The apex court, which was again moved, has since reserved its verdict in October 2004. 

 

 

Second Step

 

In every law, there is a provision that if an officer acts bonafide, no action can be taken against him/her. Such law should be made conditional that if an officer acts or omits to act negligently or not in a prudent manner, then such officer shall be personally responsible for the entire loss, expenses or harrassment caused to any person and such person can file a suit against such officer.

 

Third Step

 

There is a requirement of giving a notice of two months if any person wants to file a case against any officer of the govt. This requirement should be removed.

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