Superintendent of Police of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Directorate of Vigilance Bosco George says that the ACB will initiate surprise checks in government departments, if there are complaints of people being harassed. George, who recently took charge of the ACB, in an interview with Amresh Parab, urges people to help him by coming forward with complaints
Q: What will be your priority?
My priority has always been to make the life of ordinary citizen easy. People need not go to any government department based on someone’s reference or pay money (bribe) to get their work done. I am firm that we should come down heavily on such people (who take bribe).
Q: There are a number of cases pending before the ACB. What could be the reasons?
There are some hindrances, as we are less equipped. For example, in a trap case, the voice recording has to be examined for which we are dependent on forensic science laboratory (FSL) of other states. It is one of the major reasons for the cases remaining pending. Forensic science laboratories in other states give priority to the cases of their states. We need to set up a basic facility within the state – FSL (at Verna) which would be helpful to the ACB. I brought this to the notice of the Chief Secretary and he said it will be taken up on priority basis. Apart from this, to some extent, staff shortage or transfers are also the reasons for the cases remaining pending.
Q: What about the staff strength at the ACB currently? And what is the criterion to select police personnel or officers from the Goa police department to join ACB on deputation?
We require more staff and I will be putting forward the names of some officers with proven integrity to join ACB. I will seek their consent if they want to work with the ACB. Some police personnel prefer working at police stations, while others do wish to come to the ACB. For those who want to work with the ACB, it is important that their integrity is above board. I just cannot take anybody.
Q: Your message to the public?
The Chief Secretary, who is also the Chief Vigilance Officer, has been very categorical. We have to be proactive and move that one step forward as far as trying to win the public hearts so that they gain confidence in the ACB. We want people to come forward and submit complaints so that we can trap corrupt people (government employees). We would also initiate surprise checks against such people who harass public and only assist them against monetary consideration.
Napoleon had said, ‘world suffers a lot not because of violence of bad people but because of silence of good people.’ Without any hesitation, people should approach the ACB at Altinho, Panaji. Their identity will be kept a secret. You move only one step in giving us a trap case and we will walk the rest of the steps.
Q: There are a number of cases, which are currently being probed by the ACB. Previously you held the ACB charge. Was there any kind of political interference or pressure while investigating the cases, especially those against politicians?
Because of the credibility of the ACB, nobody wanted to be seen or make it obvious that they are interfering in the investigation. So to that extent, we had a lot of freedom to investigate the cases.
Q: After holding the charge of the ACB for over two years, you were transferred in 2015. It was said that the transfer was owing to a case against a relative of the then chief minister? Your comment…
Well, I don’t know what the reason was and I didn’t go into that. Being in government, we have to accept that a transfer is inevitable.