Guidelines to check corruption in bureaucracy soon

New Delhi, Sep 4 (PTI) Indian government is likely to
issue a set of guidelines soon to check corruption in
bureaucracy which will include reducing the time taken to
penalise delinquent officials.
In the midst of Anna Hazare's campaign against
corruption, a three-member Committee of Experts, formed to
examine and recommend measures to expedite the process
involved in disciplinary proceedings, has suggested that
inquiries of all major offences should be completed within 12
months.
It suggested that officials found involved in corruption
should be awarded punishment, including immediate dismissal
after completion of probe. For minor offences, the tenure of
inquiry should be two months.
"We are considering the suggestions of the committee and
planning to issue guidelines soon," an official said.
The other recommendations of the committee include
creation of panels of inquiry officers from both serving and
retired government servants and enhancement of remuneration
for conducting inquiries.
It suggested setting up of vigilance commissions with
statutory status in the states, introduction of
plea-bargaining in major penalty disciplinary inquiries and
major penalty of compulsory retirement to include cut in
pension and gratuity.
Amendment of Article 311 of the Constitution to provide
for dismissal from service on charges of corrupt practises
after beginning of trial in a competent court was another key
suggestion of the expert panel.