MAPUSA
The State government is considering amending the existing recruitment rules to enable direct recruitment of officers in the Directorate of Vigilance, while also planning to constitute a committee of Secretaries headed by the Chief Secretary to periodically review vigilance complaints and cases in order to strengthen the functioning of the anti-corruption machinery in the State.
Replying to a question on the functioning, independence and accountability of the vigilance machinery in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the proposed measures are aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring timely disposal of complaints handled by the Vigilance authorities.
Sawant informed the House that at present the Directorate of Vigilance, including the anti-corruption branch, largely depends on officers drawn on deputation or transfer from other departments such as the Police, Public Works Department, Water Resources Department and the Personnel Department.
As a result, several posts in the Vigilance establishment remain vacant for extended periods, affecting the department’s efficiency and its ability to process complaints promptly.
To address this issue, the government has now considered amending the existing recruitment rules to allow posts in the Directorate of Vigilance to be filled through direct recruitment.
In addition, the government is also examining a proposal to set up a committee of Secretaries under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to periodically review the disposal of vigilance complaints and cases, a move expected to enhance oversight and improve the department’s overall performance.
The Chief Minister said adequate checks and balances are already in place within the Vigilance framework to prevent real or perceived conflicts of interest. The functioning of the vigilance machinery, including the Directorate of Vigilance and the anti-corruption branch, is governed by statutory and procedural safeguards.
He also noted that the State has established the Goa Lokayukta to ensure autonomy, credibility and effectiveness in dealing with complaints against public servants relating to maladministration and corruption.
According to Sawant, the Directorate of Vigilance acts as the administrative authority for implementing the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules 1964 and the Central Civil Services Classification Control and Appeal Rules 1965, while cases involving corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 are handled by the anti-corruption branch.
