THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) does not have much to cheer about in its the golden jubilee year as the conviction rate in cases investigated by it has dropped to an all-time low in recent years.
According to the statistics available with the agency, the conviction rate was 59.08 per cent for cases registered in 2013. The figure is a meagre one per cent increase from 2012.
Officials said the reasons for steady decline in conviction rate from 2009 were acute staff shortage and delay in court proceedings. “While the number of cases has increased manifold, we have the same staff pattern as in 1980s. This affects the quality of investigation,” said VACB Director ADGP Vinson M Paul. Apart from action on normal complaints, the agency also conducts special drives which involves simultaneous raids across the state. The director said staff shortage also affects special drives and the voluminous follow-up which involves scrutiny of hundreds of documents seized. The agency conducted seven statewide surprise raids in 2013 and 12 in 2012.
Delay in court proceedings is another factor working against the agency’s performance. The average trial duration in a Vigilance case now ranges between 5-10 years during which the witness may turn hostile or become unable to recollect with accuracy.
The state has only four Vigilance Courts for conducting the trial of hundreds of cases - ranging from petty bribery to multi-crore frauds in government agencies. A proposal to start two new courts in Kottayam and Kozhikode still remains on paper.
Though in some cases the VACB opts for recommending department-level action and withdrawal from court proceedings, it is often discouraged by the courts. It is pointed out that the agency could improve its performance if it goes for department-level action in cases with less significance.
The Vigilance Director said the agency had embarked on a major revamp. “We have decided to discourage unnecessary deputations to the VACB. Only those who have required skills and drive would be considered in future,” he said.
“We are also roping in the support of the young generation to combat the evil of corruption. Facility for lodging complaints through social media platforms and WhatsApp is being launched,” Vinson M Paul said.