Chandigarh, Jul 22 (PTI) The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) has identified and prepared a list of 140 officers and employees across the state against whom repeated complaints have been received alleging that they do not perform official duties without accepting bribes.
On Wednesday, SV&ACB chief Arshinder Singh Chawla chaired a review meeting with superintendents of police (SPs), officers and staff from all ranges at the Bureau Headquarters in Panchkula.
The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing anti-corruption campaigns, discussed future strategies and deliberated in detail on strengthening anti-corruption enforcement, greater use of modern technology, enhancing public confidence among complainants, improving the performance of various ranges and increasing public participation, an official statement said.
Chairing the meeting, Chawla informed that the Bureau has identified and prepared a list of 140 officers and employees across the state against whom repeated complaints have been received alleging that they do not perform official duties without accepting bribes. He clarified that the list has not been prepared to target any individual, but solely to provide relief to the public from corrupt practices.
He emphasised that the list has been compiled in a completely impartial and transparent manner.
Chawla directed that if officers in any range have information regarding other corrupt officials or employees, they should update the list and submit it to the headquarters within one week so that the anti-corruption campaign can be made even more effective.
He said that the Bureau’s objective is not only to catch corrupt officials but also to strengthen a culture of honesty, transparency and accountability across the government system.
Chawla urged every officer and employee to work towards this goal with complete dedication, integrity and sensitivity.
He said that complainants play the most crucial role in the fight against corruption. They are the backbone of the Bureau, and the entire anti-corruption mechanism is built on their trust. Whenever a citizen comes forward to report corruption, ensuring his or her safety, confidentiality and dignity becomes the Bureau’s foremost responsibility, he said.
He directed officers to maintain regular communication with complainants, meet them periodically, and extend all possible assistance from the trap operation to securing conviction of the accused in court.
He stated that the success of a trap operation is not limited to catching an accused red-handed; ensuring conviction of the guilty is equally important. Reviewing the Bureau’s achievements, it was informed that a total of 92 successful trap/raid operations have been conducted from January 2022 to June 2026, leading to the arrest of several corrupt officers and employees while accepting bribes.
Chawla said that every successful trap operation strengthens public faith in the rule of law and sends a strong message that no corrupt individual can escape legal action.
He said that corrupt officials and employees hollow out the government system from within like termites. Such individuals weaken public confidence in the government and administration, he said.
He instructed officers that while taking action, no consideration should be given to the accused’s rank, position, influence, or social standing. Everyone is equal before the law, and no leniency will be shown in corruption cases, he stressed.
Chawla said the government’s clear intention is to create a strong sense of fear of law among those indulging in corruption.
The SV&ACB chief said, “If even one corrupt officer or employee is caught red-handed every day in the state, it will have a far-reaching impact. Others will think several times before demanding or accepting a bribe, resulting in a gradual improvement in the overall system.” He further directed officers to maintain speed, secrecy and professionalism during anti-corruption operations.
The meeting emphasised extensive use of advanced technology and high-tech equipment during trap operations.
Chawla directed all range officers to widely publicise the Bureau’s toll-free helpline numbers 1800-180-2022 and 1064, along with the complaint registration process.
He instructed that awareness boards be displayed at government offices, public places, markets and other crowded locations so that citizens can easily report corruption.
The SV&ACB chief said that greater public awareness would encourage more citizens to come forward, transforming the anti-corruption campaign into a people’s movement. PTI SUN KSS KSS
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