CVC recommends penalty against 172 govt officials for graft

As many as 172 officials working with different central government departments have been advised penalty by the Central Vigilance Commission for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

Of these, a highest of 14 such officials are working in the Department of Defense Production, 12 in State Bank of India, 11 in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, 10 in the Ministry of Railways and eight in Central Board of Excise and Customs among others, the CVC said in its performance report for June.

Seven officials working in MMTC Limited, six in Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, five each in State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Department of Heavy Industries, Department of Telecommunications, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and four each working in Syndicate Bank, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Ordnance Factory Board and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited have also been penalised.

Three officials each working in the Industrial Development Bank of India, State Bank of Patiala, Department of Education, Ministry of Urban Development, Indian Telephone Industries Ltd, Steel Authority of India Limited and Western Coalfields Ltd, among others, have also been penalised by the anti-corruption watchdog for alleged corruption.

The probity watchdog had received 2,617 complaints alleging corruption and other irregularities in the government departments during the month.

The Chief Technical Examination wing of the CVC had effected a recovery of over Rs 8 crore after inspecting procurement and works of various government departments.

"The Commission is deeply concerned over continuing delay in filling the post of Chief Vigilance Officers in MMTC Limited, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and Gas Authority of India Limited ( GAIL)," it said.