Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.
Q3. How are State Anti-Corruption Bureaux positioned within India’s vigilance framework? Examine the challenges affecting their independence and investigative capacity. Suggest suitable reforms. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
State Anti-Corruption Bureaux possess adequate institutional autonomy and professional capacity to investigate corruption within state administrations.
Key Demand of the question
Describe the position and functions of State ACBs within the wider vigilance framework. Identify constraints on their independence and investigative capacity, and suggest suitable institutional reforms.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Introduce State ACBs as specialised state police agencies that enforce anti-corruption law while functioning alongside vigilance departments, Lokayuktas and State Vigilance Commissions.
Body
- Position within the vigilance framework: Mention their legal status, criminal investigation role and institutional relationship with departmental vigilance bodies, Lokayuktas and Special Courts.
- Challenges affecting effectiveness: Indicate executive control, uneven structures across states, approval and sanction delays, jurisdictional overlaps and inadequate specialised investigative capacity.
- Suitable reforms: Suggest independent vigilance oversight, secure tenure, time-bound statutory approvals, multidisciplinary investigation teams and transparent performance accountability.
Conclusion
Conclude that State ACBs require operational autonomy alongside institutional accountability to protect honest officials and ensure credible investigation of corruption.
