May 8, 2015
SS Ray speaks on the restriction of the jurisdiction of anti corruption cell of Govt of Delhi | Full Transcript
Full Transcript
The anti-corruption branch of the Government of Delhi is a notified police station for the purpose of registration of FIR and the investigation of offences covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
Sir, this branch has been in existence for almost half a century and the officers of the branch who are authorised to investigate the offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 by a notification dated March 21, 1968. They were authorised to make arrests and the branch was declared as a police station for offences recorded for illegal gratification in 1975. The anti corruption branch functions under the overall supervision and control of the Director of Vigilance, Government of the NCT of Delhi.
During the 49 days of the Aam Aadmi Party government, Sir, the anti-corruption branch of the Government of Delhi was revitalised and an anti-corruption helpline was launched to facilitate the citizens who wanted to report incidents of corruption in public life. The citizens of Delhi responded enthusiastically to this initiative and complaints poured in against different authorities including officials of the Delhi Police, DDA, municipal corporations, central government and various departments of the government of NCT, including a few former ministers and corporate haunchos.
Sir, thereafter a notification dated July 23, 2014, was issued surprisingly by the Minister of Home Affairs, Government of India, restricting the jurisdiction of the anti-corruption branch of the government of NCT over the officers and employees of government of NCT of Delhi.
Sir, this has created a problem for the administration of the Delhi government to go against the corrupt officials. This notification is also attempting to limit the power of the popularly-elected government which is highly unconstitutional and against the principals of federalism.
If the Central Government is serious about introducing reforms in administration and wants to bring about a positive change towards transparency in governance to facilitate the business environment and image of the country, it should immediately withdraw the notification and maintain the principles of federalism.
Thank you Sir.
