Anti-Corruption Bureau Short-Staffed, Fails To Curb Corruption

In response, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has urged the Home Department to strengthen the ACB by increasing staffing levels, emphasizing the need for a 20 per cent annual increase in corruption cases handled.

Bribery remains rampant in Gujarat’s government offices, with an average of over 300 cases reported each year. Established in 1963 under the Home Department, the ACB operates from its headquarters in Ahmedabad, supported by seven divisional offices across the state.

Its primary mission is to combat bribery and corruption within government agencies, public sector boards, and corporations. When government officials or employees are caught accepting bribes, the ACB conducts trap and decoy operations, filing cases related to disproportionate assets.

PAC Chairman Jitendra Vaghani highlighted in his report that the ACB should target a 20 per cent increase in trap, decoy, and disproportionate asset cases annually. However, an audit revealed that the bureau has only achieved between 32 per cent and 58 per cent of its set targets.

The report raised concerns over inefficiencies within the Home Department, citing delays in investigations. According to ACB guidelines, trap and decoy cases should be resolved within 45 days, yet many remain pending for one to three years due to systemic inefficiencies.

One of the primary reasons for the ACB’s weak performance is a critical shortage of manpower. The PAC report noted that while 826 positions have been authorized, only 424 are filled with permanent appointments, and 138 are staffed through loaned personnel, leaving 264 positions vacant.

To address this, the committee has recommended that the Home Department urgently recruit personnel to prevent further operational setbacks and enable the ACB to take swift action against corrupt officials.

Due to this staffing crisis, the ACB has struggled to conduct timely investigations, leading to prolonged delays in decoy operations and case resolutions. The PAC has called upon the state government to take immediate measures to ensure the bureau is adequately staffed, thereby preventing further deterioration in its performance.

The Gujarat Vigilance Commission has also raised concerns about the repercussions of these delays. In its final report, the commission noted that prolonged investigations and delayed reports have resulted in some accused officials being acquitted by the courts.

Among the 2,262 cases filed by the ACB in state courts, a significant number remain pending due to blocked investigation processes and report backlogs.

To restore efficiency and effectiveness in the fight against corruption, the PAC has urged the state government to prioritize staffing, streamline investigative processes, and reinforce accountability within the ACB.

Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring that corrupt officials are swiftly brought to justice and that public trust in government institutions is upheld.