Case against corrupt government officials: ACB seeks citizens’ help………..MANOJ MORE
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought citizens’ help in its discrete and open investigations against several top government officers in Pune.
Additional DCP Tushar Doshi of ACB, Pune, on Wednesday said the latest case involving a top government officer only indicates that the trend of pocketing percentages on contracts continues unchecked. “If this kind of corruption has to stop, citizens should come forward and lodge a complaint with the ACB office in Pune. This is the only way to protect government money and ensure transparent dealings,” Doshi said. “The amount involved is huge. Therefore, it is necessary to rein in the corrupt and it cannot be done without citizens’ concrete assistance,” an official said. ACB officials said people can contact them on 26128891 and 26121403 and join in nailing the corrupt.
Pointing out that 74 government officers where caught in Pune division by the ACB last year, Doshi said the public at large either fights shy, have unfounded fears or want to complain without taking responsibility.
“People complain to us on phone. But they don’t want to interact or help us in laying the trap and nailing the corrupt,” he said.
Though conviction rate has been low, officials said it was not dampening their spirit to unmask the corrupt. “Our job is to catch the corrupt and prevent corruption. If we are not able to prove the guilt, it is because we do not get proper support from government offices and citizens,” he said.
Activist Sachin Godambe, however, said in the wake of Satish Shetty murder case, there is a general fear among citizens and activists about taking on the corrupt.
“The brazen murder of Satish Shetty has shaken the citizens. Neither the police nor the government has taken any confidence building measures for the upright citizens.