Bhubaneswar: With a view to root out corruption, the state government had constituted a Vigilance wing under General Administration and Public Grievance department. However, delays in filing chargsheets and obtaining clearance from the Prosecution Cell has virtually nullified the purpose for which the Vigilance wing was constituted.
According to statistics released by GA & PG department, at least 69 cases received by the Vigilance Prosecution Cell are still pending. The Cell has received a total of 424 cases between 2014 and August 2020, of which 355 cases have been disposed off and remaining 69 cases are still pending.
Before filing chargsheets against senior government officials, the Vigilance wing seeks clearance from the Prosecution Cell, which examines the evidences collected and other legal angles of the case. The Cell gives its nod once it is satisfied with the evidences collected, sources said.
The Cell has received 75 such cases in 2014 and disposed all cases. But, three cases received in 2015, three in 2016 and 5 cases of 2017 are still pending with the government.
Similarly, out of 43 cases received in the year 2018, the Prosecution Cell is yet to clear 18 cases. The number of pending cases increased to 21 in the last one year.
Besides, the Cell has received 19 corruption cases between January and August this year. Ironically, not a single case received this year has been disposed off so far.
