CVC
Old Wine in New Bottle? To give corruption a bashing the CVC is now trying to play with technology, but some of the basic issues still remain unaddressed Inder Kumar
nderk@cybermedia.co.in
A
s all the government departments beef themselves up with technology, the vigilance commission is also not far behind. A recent circular issued by the vigilance body’s complaints handling policy is an initiative to deploy technology in the department, further bringing transparency and curbing corruption. The circular emulates an electronic mechanism for sending complaints and then circulating it to the concerned officials in an electronic mode. It also enables the complaints to be directly sent to the inbox of an officer. The officer can then send it to the CVOs for necessary action, as required. Although much has been done in this regard, however, some core issues are still left unaddressed. What’s Left Unaddressed? The electronic mechanism was deployed to enhance interaction and mitigate corruption. But the commission still has a manual mechanism in place and the report to the CVOs continues to go manually. This manual process raises many questions that loom large around the present system. This implies that electronic monitoring and transparency are not be in place. This method does not have a twoway information flow, so it will not be 60 | June 15, 2012
possible to get an update on cases, disposal review, and status report over the internet. The application still overlooks some crucial points that could provide a transparent and
What can be done
n Report to the CVO can be made online n A centralized complaint handling system should be there n Possibility of online inquiry or investigation into any complaint n Review the progress of investigations to be made online n Review of disposal of pending complaints could be enabled online visit www.dqindia.com
accelerated system. So, a comprehensive approach must be adopted to bring a complete change in it. With these pegs still hanging, the doubt of transparency would exist and a speedy disposal of complaints would remain a hot topic to debate. The commission’s ability was well judged when the body was created, however, its credentials seem to be fading. With the Lokpal and Lokayuktas in the pipeline, the commission may fear to lose its relevance. It is high time the commission takes a stand and employ technology in a more effective way, as passport offices and other departments have forayed well (Just on the back of IT). n
DATAQUEST | A CyberMedia Publication