Thiruvananthapuram: State govt on Wednesday unveiled a revised vigilance manual introducing a series of measures aimed at strengthening anti-corruption enforcement, including provisions to detect bribes routed through digital financial transactions, monitor benami assets and accelerate digitisation of vigilance operations.Releasing the manual as part of vigilance and anti-corruption bureau’s (VACB) project zero initiative, home and vigilance minister Ramesh Chennithala described it as a “historic milestone” in the state’s fight against corruption and a key step towards eliminating corruption at official level.The minister said the manual had been comprehensively revised in view of changing nature of corruption. It contains specific provisions to trap public servants accepting bribes through digital payment platforms, collect details of officials involved in benami transactions or possessing disproportionate assets, introduce a dedicated uniform for vigilance personnel and fast-track digitalisation of vigilance procedures.Revised manual also lays down detailed procedures for issuing vigilance clearance certificates for officials appointed to key positions, functioning of vigilance courts, conduct of surprise inspections, expediting action in false vigilance cases against govt employees and establishing a centralised processing system to consolidate complaints and monitor the progress of investigations. Number of chapters has been expanded from 14 to 29.Presiding over the function, Lok Ayukta Justice N Anil Kumar said the state should strive to become a corruption-free state like Denmark. He also called for regular meetings of internal vigilance officers under the leadership of state vigilance department to improve effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts.Transport minister C P John, who attended as the chief guest, said every govt employee should be able to retire with the satisfaction of having remained free from any taint of corruption throughout their career. He also suggested that vigilance department consider publishing a corruption index based on functioning of various govt departments.Additional chief secretary (home and vigilance) Minhaj Alam, vigilance director Manoj Abraham, vigilance DIG Thomson Jose, who is holding charge as Vigilance IGP, home department adviser A Hemachandran and internal vigilance heads from various govt departments and public sector undertakings attended the function.
