Haryana: DC got powers to investigate corruption, now he will be able to investigate complaints up to one crore rupees

Haryana government has given more powers to the DC to investigate corruption cases. Now DC will be able to investigate corruption cases, charges up to Rs 1 crore. Complaints of financial irregularities against B to D category employees as well as body members and panchayat representatives will also come under the purview of DC. The government has asked to constitute vigilance committees at the district and sub-divisional level within ten days and send the report to the Chief Secretary.

After examining the complaints of corruption cases, the district and sub-divisional level committees will give their recommendations to the government. If needed, the DC will write to the SP to register an FIR against the accused based on his investigation. Along with this, a report will be sent to the State Level Vigilance Committee headed by the Chief Secretary for further action. The government has taken this decision under Section-17A of the Elimination of Corruption Act. Under this section added in the Act, now the Vigilance Bureau will not be able to act directly on the accused employees in the corruption case. Vigilance and police investigation will start only after the allegations are proved in the DC's investigation.

These committees will be

The ADC will be the chairperson in the District Level Vigilance Committee. Executive Engineer will be included as representative of DC. DG Vigilance will nominate a DSP as his representative. Apart from this, representatives of departments and an Accounts Officer will be included on behalf of DC. The chairman of the sub-division level committee will be the SDM. In this, apart from a sub-division engineer, the accounts officer will be included as the representative of the DC.

These committees will be able to conduct surprise checks on the working of any department, officers, and personnel. They will have a special eye on the departments related to the public. They will thoroughly investigate the financial irregularities and submit the report to the Chief Secretary. District and sub-divisional level committees can summon the records of any officer or department for examination. The Chief Secretary has issued instructions to all the Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments in this regard.