Cidco is a breeding ground of corruption, as Vigilance Department is in deep slumber

Anti-corruption measures started in 2015 by the then trio -- Bhatia, Radha and Sarvade turn nought due to inactive officials

 

Navi Mumbai, October 5, 2021: It was in March 2015 that the then first Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Cidco Dr Pradnya Sarvade launched a weblink and email ID: cvo@cidco.maharashtra.gov.in as a part of measures to eradicate corruption in the planning authority and to give easy access to public spirited citizens to bring the corrupt to books.

Six years down, the present breed of officials in the vigilance department have rather resolved not to take cognizance of the emails to cvo@cidco.maharashtra.gov.in by residents pointing out corruption in certain departments. Not only this even the complaints of corruption lodged through the official Dakshata portal go unattended and the Right to Information (RTI) applications filed for seeking information about the vigilance department are not assigned to any officials for months.

All these actions on part of the vigilance department officials are a clear pointer that they are not only least bothered about stamping out corruption from the office of the planning authority, but also acting as a catalysts to ensure that Cidco turns and grows as a breeding ground of corruption.

As I indicate that the vigilance department is protecting the corrupt and turning a deaf ear to complaints from residents, I would like to share a personal experience of vigilance department.

 

Vigilance department simply neglects your corruption complaints

 

As written in my earlier blog, regarding ‘artificial water scarcity’ created by the Cidco’s water department in Kharghar in nexus with contractor and tanker mafia, I complained to the Vigilance Department through email – cvo@cidco.maharashtra.gov.in on March 9, 2021 pointing out the manner in which corruption is given shape by the water department in a systemic manner and how the assistant engineer in Kharghar was grossly misusing his official position for personal gains.

Till date I have not received any communication from the officials of Vigilance department updating about the status, nor have they called me gather the inputs. Now, what does this behaviour and action on part of a responsible department like Vigilance and its officials show – That they are not interested in taking cognizance of your corruption complaints and are more interested in protecting their corrupt colleagues.

I also lodged a complaint about the corruption through Dakshata portal vide registration number 202100000170 on March 9, 2021. However, till date the officials of vigilance department have not taken note of the complaint lodged on their official website clearly exhibiting a lackadaisical approach in dealing with complaints related to corruption.

 

Vigilance department discourages RTI applications!

 

The RTI Act was brought into force in the year 2005 to ring in transparency in the government departments. However, it looks like the vigilance department takes pride in having non-transparent affairs.

I had filed two RTIs seeking information from the Vigilance department under registration numbers – 10020748 and 10020750 – in March end or April first week – the shocking part is both these applications have still not been assigned to any official (as is shown on the online RTI portal).

The above act on part of the vigilance department clearly indicates that it takes pride in concealing information and believes in non-transparent functioning, so that Cidco becomes a breeding ground of corruption.

 

Personal talk with officials yields no result

 

When I found out that my complaint with the Dakshata portal and also my RTI applications have not been answered, I called up Cidco office, only to be greeted by a lady – for whom transferring a call to the concerned department was like scaling a Mount Everest – I was connected to one gentleman identified as ACP Pote (Retd) of the vigilance department I told him my grievance regarding non attendance of complaint. The gentleman took my phone number and assured me that he will call back, till date I am waiting for his call and input.

The very next day, I also spoke to one person, who identified himself as Mr More, OSD to the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), he too noted down my complaints and then my phone number, assuring me that I will be given feedback and till date he too never bothered to call and inform me regarding my complaint with Dakshata portal.

While most of the government offices in Maharashtra allowed access to general public after the cases of corona started declining, Cidco was the only corporation which denied entry to public spirited citizens by throwing on face Covid protocols, until about a week ago.

However, during the same period red carpet was laid for developers, real estate agents in various departments of Cidco, especially the Estate Department.

 

Only persons with strong resolve will help weed out corruption

 

It was in 2014-15 that the then chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had handpicked Shri Sanjay Bhatia, to lead Cidco, which had earned notoriety of being the most corrupt corporations in the state. Bhatia, assisted by V Radha had clamped down on corruption in Cidco with an iron hand by starting many public friendly initiatives like the Single Window System for Estate Department.

It was then that the office of Vigilance Officer was created and Dr Pradnya Sarvade was appointed as the first Chief Vigilance Officer and was entrusted with the job of streamlining the working of various departments of Cidco and also outline processes to eradicate corruption.

The trio of Bhatia, Radha and Sarvade had to a great extent been successful in checking corruption in Cidco.

However, once the trio was shifted out of Cidco, no other official has been able to carry forward the work they did on graft front.

It requires an officer of a strong will to help weed out corruption in the planning agency.

I hope the present MD and state government take corrective measures atleast now.