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Home ministry seeks feedback on police harassment, bribery during recruitment verification
The exercise comes two years after the Centre brought changes to the verification procedure in 2016 on the basis of complaints regarding delay, harassment, nepotism and even bribery in the process.
In a bid to tackle alleged harassment and corruption by cops during post-recruitment verification process, the Centre has decided to seek feedback from individuals recruited under the ministry of home affairs (MHA) after 2016.
The exercise comes two years after the Centre brought changes to the verification procedure in 2016 following complaints regarding delay, harassment, nepotism and even bribery. The post-recruitment verification process requires recruited individuals to produce a character certificate from the local police station, which is undertaken by a local cop.
A questionnaire developed by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) has been forwarded by the MHA to all its institutions, departments and paramilitary forces across the country, a senior home ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
The questionnaire, a copy of which is with HT, seeks to know whether the verification was completed in two months or no, reasons for delay, whether a bribe was demanded and the amount of the bribe. It also sought views of candidates on the procedures modified by the NDA government, and what kind of harassment they faced.
“All personnel appointed after June 29, 2016, were asked to fill out the questionnaire. Subsequently the responses will be consolidated and forwarded to the concerned authorities,” the official said.
The official added that the exercise is meant for group A, B, C and D appointees recruited under the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
“The exercise is aimed at increasing transparency and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms,” said another official.
Another official privy to the development called for the same exercise to be done for all ministries and state governments.
IIPA, a research and training organisation under the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions, is headed by vice-president Venkaiah Naidu and has former governors as its executive members.
