VIJAYAWADA: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General R P Thakur has opined that there is a huge need for establishing a prevention division in the ACB to examine the practices and procedures of government departments and public bodies, identify loopholes and make recommendations for controlling corruption. Thakur, who took charge as ACB director general on November 20, 2016, said that his department was working hard to attain zero level corruption in the State. “Corruption is becoming a hindrance to the development in all sectors,” he said.
During the one-year tenure (from November 19, 2016 to November 18, 2017), the ACB had registered as many as 146 trap cases and 47 Disproportionate Assets (DA) cases along with conducting 43 surprise checks and 59 regular inquiries. He also said eight criminal misconduct cases were also registered against government officers who had failed to deliver their duties. Thakur conducted a review meeting with officials and appreciated them for acting tough against the corrupt government officers. He said the ACB was not only limiting themselves to trap the corrupt officers but also focussing on initiating action against the tainted officials and attaching their properties.
“We have decided to find out the causes of corruption and advise the government on corruption-controlling measures to attain zero level corruption in the State. People should aware of corruption, which is affecting them and the the society at large,” Thakur said.
ACB units in all districts
Thakur said all the 13 districts in the State would get ACB units soon. “With setting up of units in every district, officials can be available to the public so that they can lodge grievances on corruption. Offices at Tirupati, Eluru and Viskhapatnam are under construction. The government had allotted `15.94 crore for setting up ACB offices,” he added.