In a recent development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken action against 216 civil servants over the span of five years, raising eyebrows and sparking conversations across the nation. The cases were brought to light in a written reply given by Union Minister of State for Personnel, Jitendra Singh, during a Rajya Sabha session.
The breakdown of the cases reveals that Maharashtra had the highest number of officials under investigation with 39 cases, followed by Jammu and Kashmir with 22, Delhi with 21, Uttar Pradesh with 17, and Karnataka with 14, among others. These figures have put the spotlight on the conduct and integrity of civil servants in different states.
Union Minister Singh emphasized the importance of adhering to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. These rules set the code of conduct for central government employees and are expected to be followed diligently by all members of the service, as reported by PTI.
In response to concerns about the training of officer trainees, Singh highlighted the efforts of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. The academy is committed to imparting relevant courses to the trainees, focusing on national aspirations, feedback, and values like nationalism, citizen-centricity, and financial integrity.
To address the issue comprehensively, the government approved the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building, known as Mission Karmayogi, in September 2020. The program aims to create a highly professional, well-trained, and future-ready civil service, with a deep understanding of India's developmental goals, national programs, and priorities.
In addition to the cases registered by the CBI, it was revealed that the Central Vigilance Commission recommended action against a significant number of officers in the past five years. During the first stage advice, 12,756 officers were under scrutiny, and during the second stage advice, 887 officers faced scrutiny. Among them, 719 officers received the sanction of prosecution, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations.
