Question : COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN AFFIDAVITS

(a) whether there is any provision of inquiry and action in case any complaint, in notarized affidavit against any Government official employee/public servant for taking bribe, involvement in corruption or for harassing any citizen in any form, is received by the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the manner in which the Government treats a complaint received in affidavit i.e.whether it treats the complaint as normal or serious;

(d) whether any time-limit has been fixed to take action on complaints received on an affidavit; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.

(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) (a) & (b): Department of Personnel & Training has not issued any instructions regarding handling of complaints received in the form of affidavits, etc. As per the provisions of Rule 3 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, every Government servant shall at tall time-

(i) maintain absolute integrity;

(ii) maintain devotion to duty; and

(iii) do nothing which is unbecoming to a Government servant.

Any contravention of these provisions by a Government servant attracts disciplinary action under relevant Rules. Taking of bribe, involvement in corruption or harassing any citizen in any form on the part of a Government servant are indicators of doubtful integrity and such actions are unbecoming on the part of a Government servant. Therefore, such actions are in contravention of the provisions of Conduct Rules for which disciplinary actions can be taken against the government servant if such complaints are received against them in any form.

(c): Complaints received in the Central Government Ministries/Departments whether in affidavit or any other form are treated as receipts and handled as per Manual of Office Procedure. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is mandated under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, to enquire or cause an enquiry into complaints against public servants wherein allegations of corruption are involved. Complaints received in the Commission (including those received under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution) are dealt according to its Complaint Handling Policy. Complaints received in the Commission are scrutinized and wherever specific and verifiable allegations involving vigilance angle/corruption are noticed by the Commission, the complaints are forwarded to the appropriate agency (i.e. Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the organization or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct investigation into the matter and report to CVC.

(d) & (e): The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has, vide Circular No. 000/VGL/018 dated 23.05.2000, prescribed a time limit of three months for conducting investigation of complaints forwarded by it and submission of report to the Commission. Complaints received on affidavit, are also handled accordingly.