Govt committed to ensure independence of CBI: Dr Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the Government is committed to ensure the independence of CBI. Addressing the valedictory function of the 21st Conference of CBI and Vigilance Bureaus as chief guest, here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Government will provide an environment which enables the officials of CBI and other intelligence bureaus to discharge their duty with absolute professionalism and to the best of their ability and potential. 

Dr Jitendra Singh said, as the war against corruption, crime and terror assumes diverse proportions, the strategies and skills to be applied by the intelligence officials also call for constant update to meet the new challenges. In this regard, he referred to the decision to set up a state-of-the-art “Institute of Excellence in Investigation” as an upgraded and reincarnated version of India’s premier interrogation centre. 

Reiterating the government’s resolve to fight against corruption, crime and terror with seriousness and sincerity, Dr Jitendra Singh referred to yesterday’s meeting of Union Cabinet which approved the fast track implementation of “Crimes and Criminals Tracking Network System” project by fixing the deadline of March 2017. He said that it was pertinent to mention that this project had been initiated by the UPA government in 2009 but failed to make the expected headway even after six years. 

Quoting from the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s inaugural speech at the conference yesterday, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the present government’s priority to fight against corruption is evident from the fact that within days of being sworn in on May 26, 2014, an SIT (Special Investigation Team) was constituted to look into the issue of black money deposited in foreign banks. 

Dr Jitendra Singh referred to important legislative Bills from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) including “Prevention of Corruption Act” and “Whistleblowers Act” which were repeatedly listed during the last session of Parliament but could not be taken up because of the disruption of the House. We are determined to push forward these Bills once again in the forthcoming session of Parliament beginning 26th November, he added. Similarly, in case of Lokpal Bill, we hope that the Standing Committee will soon send its report so that the process can be carried forward, he said. 

Earlier, Director CBI Shri Anil Sinha, enumerated several new plans that CBI has envisaged for the coming years to upgrade its infrastructure and technical know-how. On the occasion, meritorious intelligence officers were presented Indian Police Medals by Dr. Jitendra Singh.