Jaipur: Getting expensive gifts on Diwali may prove costly for government employees in Rajasthan with the state Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) keeping a close watch on such exchanges ahead of festivities, warning action against departments and officers who have a habit of giving or receiving expensive gifts.
The ACB said all such officers across government departments who are found receiving expensive items labelled as Diwali gifts will be on the anti-graft body’s radar and may face action under corruption charges. Expensive gifts that are unaccounted for will be treated as bribes, ACB DG Ravi Prakash Meherda said.
He also appealed to the people to inform the ACB if and when they notice a government officer accepting Diwali gifts that seem suspicious. The corruption watchdog has also advised its regional officers and police station to step up surveillance to flag and act against such cases.
Bribes hidden in sweet boxes
The ACB has instructed all its officers to stay vigilant, especially concerning cases of hidden bribes in boxes of sweets. Officers’ activities are being closely monitored, and the ACB has affirmed it will not tolerate any negligence.
Rajasthan ACB charges 6 JDA officials in bribery case
Earlier this week, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against nine individuals, including six officials from Zone 9 of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), in connection with a bribery case, officials announced on Tuesday.
These JDA officials and private individuals were arrested in August after being caught accepting bribes. The chargesheet reveals extensive corruption within the JDA. The investigation remains open, suggesting that the ACB is still examining the involvement of certain senior JDA officials.
An ACB prosecutor noted that the chargesheet was filed on October 19, detailing the evidence gathered during the investigation. “Further investigation has been kept pending under Section 193(9) of BNSS,” he stated.
