SRINAGAR: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jammu and Kashmir registered 87 First Information Reports (FIRs), laid 23 traps, and issued 42,521 vigilance clearances in 2024.
“Corrupt officials have a demoralizing effect on honest public servants, and corruption by public servants has become a gigantic problem. Large-scale corruption retards nation-building activities, affecting everyone adversely. Corruption in any society is inversely proportional to good governance, provoking a range of economic and social problems. Keeping in view the ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption the Anti-Corruption Bureau has tightened the noose around corrupt officials. In the year 2024, 87 FIRs were registered by J&K Anti Corruption Bureau. This includes 42 cases in Jammu division and 45 cases in Kashmir division. 32 cases were charge-sheeted in the court of law in this year. The investigation of cases in ACB is carried out in a thorough manner and strenuous efforts are put to collect evidence,” the ACB said in a statement to Kashmir Dot Com.
“23 trap cases and 13 cases of Disproportionate Assets were registered during the year. 42,521 vigilance clearances through the online Vigilance Clearance Portal were issued by ACB during the year 2024. The Vigilance clearance is sought for the purpose of promotion, regularization, retirement, and for obtaining NOC to go abroad, etc.”
“While continuing its tirade against the unholy nexus of revenue officers and land mafia, 16 FIRs were registered in the year, wherein Custodian land in Asarwan, Mishriwala, and Bhalwal areas of Jammu district has been found usurped by the land mafia in connivance with the officers/officials of Custodian/ Revenue and Police department,” the statement said.
“To improve the investigation skills of officers of ACB, capacity-building programmes were undertaken at CBI Academy Ghaziabad with tailor-made programmes to do hands-on studies of Trap/DA/Abuse of official position. This will improve the investigation skills of IOs. Internal workshops were held on various topics for better appreciation of evidence in cases.”
“ACB receives various complaints through Satrak Nagrik Mobile Application, ACB WhatsApp helpline, email, through post, by hand, etc. These complaints are then examined at ACB. This year 2,772 cases were sent to DVOs and 2,434 were disposed of by DVOs. Six DVO conferences—three each at Jammu and Srinagar respectively—were held this year to review the pendency of matters with DVOs, issues relating to disposal of DVO matters, and timely submission of information. 27 JSCs, 29 PEs, 116 Misc verifications, and 128 Verifications were also disposed of during the year.”
“During the year 2024, UT Vigilance Awareness Week, National Vigilance Awareness Week, and International Anti-Corruption Day were celebrated throughout UT wherein stakeholders were made aware of Anti-Corruption Law and Rules regarding transparent and good governance,” the statement added. (KDC)
