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New Delhi : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel Dr Jitendra Singh on December 12, 2021, reiterated that the Modi Government is committed to uphold, preserve, and strengthen the independence and autonomy of CBI and all such other investigating institutions.
Speaking at the Investiture Ceremony at CBI Headquarters here, Dr Singh said that zero-tolerance for corruption, transparency, and citizen centricity are the three main Mantras that determine the administrative outlook of the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that irrespective of ideological beliefs, it is the collective responsibility of all to strengthen institutions like CBI, as these institutions also contribute to strengthening the nation’s resolve to achieve the ultimate goal of incorruptibility in society, according to a PIB release.
Besides the CBI Director Subhodh Kumar Jaiswal, those present on the occasion included Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N Patel, Union Secretary DoPT P K Tripathy, Special Director CBI Praveen Sinha, senior officials, recipients of awards for distinguished service and their family members.
Dr Singh said that to fulfil the commitment of zero tolerance against corruption and unaccounted money, a range of initiatives have been taken by the Modi government over the last 7 years. He said soon after taking oath as Prime Minister on May 26, 2014, the very first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi took the decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to unearth the black money. He said that since 2014, there have been a series of reforms including the Amendment in the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, setting up of the office of Lok Pal and instantly placing all the government decisions including the ACC decisions in public domain for enhanced transparency. The Minister pointed out that more than 1,500 laws have been abolished in the past years and various rules and regulations have been simplified.
Expressing concern over certain States withdrawing the general consent to CBI to investigate cases but nevertheless holding on the prerogative to give selective consent where it suits them, Dr Singh called for wider introspection by the polity, the society, and the nation at large whether this is the kind of propriety which is to be followed by a ruling government in a State. He emphasised that these State Governments have to come clear and state whether they trust CBI or not, or whether they trust CBI selectively as they continue to give selective consent in cases which suit them.
The Minister called upon these State governments to rethink on the decision of withdrawal of general consent to CBI to investigate cases. Dr Singh reminded that many cases are also referred to CBI by the States under public pressure which indicates that the people have greater trust in CBI. Similarly, complex and urgent cases are also assigned to CBI by the judiciary on many occasions, he added.
Drawing attention to the Prime Minister’s address in October this year, wherein he said, “New India is no longer ready to accept that corruption is part of the system”, Dr Singh said that efforts are afoot at a fast pace to make the system transparent, efficient, and smooth. He said that Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was amended after 30 years in 2018 to introduce a number of new provisions including criminalising the act of giving bribe also in addition to taking bribe and at the same time putting in place an effective deterrence for such actions by individuals as well as corporate entities.
Speaking on the occasion, Director CBI Subodh Kumar Jaiswal congratulated all the CBI awardees. He reiterated unflinching commitment of CBI to work towards the national goal of Zero Tolerance against Corruption stating that CBI has over the years evolved into a multidisciplinary premier investigating agency of the country inducting professional from different fields. Jaiswal also stressed that CBI is trusted by Courts, Governments, and people at large. For every serious crime, there is always a clamor for CBI investigation. The success of CBI is exemplified by the fact that CBI has over the years been able to achieve nearly 70% conviction rate despite the fact that accused are able to get best of legal support.
Jaiswal informed that CBI has initiated a comprehensive internal process of modernisation, upgradation of capacities, setting higher benchmarks for investigation, and preventive vigilance and for leveraging cutting edge capabilities to combat new age crime. DCBI added that CBI has identified 75 practices, which need to be discouraged so as to enhance efficiency of the organization.