CBI anti-corruption bureau shifts office, yet again…….Ranjani Raghavan
Earlier this week, the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Bureau moved offices again. This time, they have shifted to Akurdi, atleast 20 km from the city, where they will be sharing space with the Directorate of Supply and Disposal. CBI officials are hoping that people will not shy away from approaching the ACB with complaints despite its distance from the city centre.
Over the last year, the ACB has moved offices thrice.
“We wanted to shift to Pune. We have asked many central government bodies like excise, income tax, and customs departments. We have also approached the state government. However, every department is facing a similar space crunch and was unable to lease space to us. At Akurdi, we are hoping that the distance will not be a damper for people keen on filing their complaints,” said Vidya Kulkarni, SP, Anti Corruption Bureau of the CBI.
The ACB branch of the CBI can take up corruption cases against central government employees – either through referral or on its own. Since January 2009, they have registered 17 cases.The ACB first opened an office in Pune district in January 2009 in Pradhikaran area. A few months later, in June, the ACB was allotted a residential private bunglow of a general manager within the premises of the Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd in Pimpri.
At the new premises in Akurdi, the ACB offices are scattered over two floors. Officials are hoping that a partition between the ACB rooms and the Department of Disposal and Supply will come up soon.
“We will still need more space in the next few years. We have put in our request through the proper channels,” said a senior official. Of the 5,000 sq feet that they are eligible for, only around 2000 sq feet has been sanctioned.
The office at Akrudi is at Kendriya Sadan, opposite the Akurdi Railway Station and the phone numbers are 27642501/502/503.