Chennai, Oct 8:
The post of Director of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Tamil Nadu’s anti-corruption agency, has remained vacant for nearly three months, even as the agency is handling several high-profile cases involving former ministers.
Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay has made corruption a major issue in his political campaign and has repeatedly targeted the DMK and AIADMK over alleged corruption. The issue was also raised during the recent campaigns for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections, the results of which are scheduled to be declared on Friday.
The DVAC has been investigating cases involving several former DMK ministers, including EV Velu, KN Nehru and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. It is also handling cases against former AIADMK ministers SP Velumani and R Vaithilingam.
Former Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun was appointed DVAC Director on May 26. However, he remained in the post for only about two months before being transferred to the Police Training Academy. Since then, a police officer in the DVAC has been holding additional charge of the Director’s post.
The vacancy has raised concerns among anti-corruption activists over the functioning of the agency and the progress of ongoing investigations. Jayaram Venkatesan, founder and convenor of anti-corruption organisation Arappor Iyakkam, said keeping the Director’s post vacant for such a long period could affect the agency’s functioning, coordination and the progress of cases.
He urged the government to appoint a full-time Director without further delay, pointing out the need for the agency to adopt new technologies in crime detection and digitise its records.
Venkatesan also said the DVAC often acts only after the Enforcement Directorate and needs to take greater initiative in pursuing corruption cases.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has questioned the government over another senior-level vacancy, stating that the post of Secretary to the Agriculture Department has also remained vacant for more than a month.