NHAI to give rewards for info on corruption…..Lalmani Verma
Battling many high-profile corruption charges, the National Highways Authority of India is now inviting anyone, from its employees to the general public, to send in information about irregularities within the organisation and get cash rewards.
A circular in this regard from NHAI chief vigilance officer Aloke Prasad, based in New Delhi, is being sent to all NHAI offices across the country.
“The informants will have to provide complete details, including evidence that will be thoroughly verified by the Vigilance Division. The details should enable the Vigilance Division to take preventive and punitive action, after which the informants will become eligible for appropriate cash rewards,” NHAI manager and information officer (vigilance) K C Basavaraju said.
The information provided could deal with a specific act of corruption or with violation of rules and norms, and can be sent to the chief vigilance officer.
“Usually people hesitate to get involved in such matters and do not inform about corruption even when they have all the evidence. The cash reward is to motivate such people to come out and cooperate in making the NHAI a corruption-free organisation,” Basavaraju said.
To be decided on the basis of the quality of information provided and the quantum of its gain or utility to the NHAI, the rewards could range from a minimum of Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000. However, an individual can only receive a maximum of four rewards or up to Rs. 50,000 in a financial year.
Basavaraju said appropriate departmental or penal action could be taken against an informant if he was found to have given false information, especially with the intention to cause undue harassment to any person.
As per the circular, the identity of the informant will be kept strictly confidential. This is in line with the Central Vigilance Commission’s “Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution, 2004”. Under this policy, the Commission is committed to protecting the safety and identity of whistleblowers.