Corrupt govt employees under ACB scanner

VISAKHAPATNAM: The continuous efforts of the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) to gather information about the state government officials who amassed huge wealth during the decade-long Congress regime have ruffled many feathers in the corridors of power.

The rampant rumours that the ACB sleuths have already gathered the salary details of the government employees from the treasury department have sent many officials into a tizzy.

While some alleged that the ruling party is using the ACB for political vendetta, the others accused the government for following the footsteps of political parties in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu for retribution.

Meanwhile, a feeling of insecurity has descended on the government officials who are facing the graft charges. It is said that the remaining two months of the present fiscal year can be tough for these officials.

According to highly-placed sources, the ACB is leaving no stone unturned to hook the officers who allegedly amassed disproportionate wealth to their known sources of income. The sleuths are busy collecting the records regarding the alleged incidents of kickbacks and shady deals, sources confirmed.

The ACB officials have already garnered information regarding some officials attached to key departments including the district treasury. The queries sent by the ACB officials to the district treasury seeking details of some transactions have set alarm bells ringing.

The ACB sleuths also confirmed that they have received a volley of complaints against certain officials who handled key departments during the previous regime. According to the complaints, lots of shady deals took place during the past 10 years, in other words during the Congress regime, in which many officials earned quick money.

Till now, the ACB had been setting a trap to catch the corrupt officials red-handedly while they accept bribe. They also kept an eye on the activities of officials with a shady background and raids the premises of the accused. But now, they are digging up the records to alleged kickbacks, which took many officials by surprise.

According to sources, the ACB recently sought the salary details of the employees and officials from the district treasury. Instead of seeking details of a particular employee, they took details regarding the income sources of all the employees and officials of key departments.

'There is nothing extraordinary in the move. It is our duty. Normally, we collect the data regarding officials and keep them with us. However, we have to get the final nod from our top officials to lay a trap or raid the premises. We collect information regarding the employees and officials because it will be useful,' said an inspector with ACB.

In fact, the ACB is already in possession of information regarding some key officials who were involved in the execution of several projects during the Congress regime. The department also received several complaints regarding certain officials.

However, the ACB is yet to raid the premises of such officials due to restrictions. Some of these officials are continuing their hold in key department under the TDP government as well. We have to do some home work before raiding the residence of a government official. It is not that easy, the official pointed out.