New Delhi: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which keeps an eye on irregularities in departments and ministries at the Centre, is busy dealing with complaints of the Union Ministry of Railways and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs officials. According to the CVC, till August, the railway ministry tops the list of departments/ministries whose officials are facing an investigation for corruption.

According to the commission, a total number of 28 complaints of corruption have been sent by the CVC to railway ministry’s Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) for investigation and report - which is more than 15% of the total cases sent for investigation till August to all departments and ministries. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has 14 complaints filed against its officers, who are being investigated for their role.

This is not the first time that the railway ministry is leading the chart. In 2017, the railway ministry had the highest number of cases, where officials were faced with punitive action for alleged corruption charges. “We had punished many officers on charges of corruption. Most cases were from railway ministry (471), Central Board of Excise & Customs (175), State Bank of India (172), Department of Telecommunications (142), Syndicate Bank (102), Indian Overseas Bank (95), Punjab National Bank (60), Dena Bank and Central Bank of India (53), Bank of Maharashtra (50),” the CVC report stated.

Apart from railways and the CBEC, banks are also facing heat. Officials of Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, etc., are facing corruption charges.

According to the commission, 2,721 banks officials were punished for corruption, out of which 570 were removed/dismissed or given compulsory retirement.

The CVC is the apex vigilance institution, and has no control of any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central government. The commission advises various authorities in Central government organisations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.