In a bid to deter corruption, government will soon implement the decision taken by the Group of Ministers on corruption. Cases of public servants accused of graft will be fast tracked by quickening the process of approvals. There is also a proposal to ensure that disciplinary action is decided within a year of a complaint being received.
The anti-corruption steps are part of measures suggested by the GoM on corruption headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and accepted by the government for implementation.
The GoM was constituted soon after Congress president Sonia Gandhi's call for proactive measures to check corruption at the party's plenary session at Burari in Delhi in November 2010. Not much happened until the latest edition of Gandhian Anna Hazare's successful fast at Ramlila Maidan in August.
Long delays in clearance for prosecution and slow trials have often meant that public servants accused of corruption retire from service and even pass away while proceedings drag on. Also, the delays lead to weakening of evidence and witnesses allowing corrupt officials to escape punishment.
Minor penalties will attract a cut in pension up to 10% which will be imposed for five years. The consequence of major penalties will be a 20% lifelong cut in pension.