NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), has asked all ministries and departments to ensure maximum use of technology and to adopt the e-procurement route to combat corruption.
The CVC said that by making optimum use of technology in the functions of the govt and its organisations, the challenge posed by corruption can be addressed to a large extent.
The CVC had last month advised initiation of proceedings against 113 officials of various ministries and also advised issuance of sanction for prosecution of nine officials, including two IFS and an IRS officer. “The adoption of technology initiatives can mitigate various factors which lead to corruption like lack of transparency, cumbersome procedures and delays in decision-making,” the CVC told the ministries.
According to the CVC, 17,672 penalties, both major and minor, were imposed on all categories of babus, as a result of punitive action during in 2013. Major penalties were imposed against 5,106 officers and minor penalties were imposed against 11,749 officers involved in graft cases.
The CVC said by re-engineering government processes, limiting discretion and enhancing accountability, departments can effectively bring about transparency and efficiency in the service delivery system which affects ordinary citizens the most.
“The Commission believes that efficiency and objectivity in governance hold the key to eradication of corruption from public life and for this purpose it has to be ensured that transparent and foolproof systems and procedures are put in place, which provide for appropriate accountability at every level of hierarchy in public administration,” the letter added.