UT’s Chief Vigilance Officer has instructed all departments, boards, corporations, etc., to use the “e-office module” for file movement in an effort to increase transparency and end delays.
For the movement of physical files, the UT Adviser-cum-Chief Vigilance Officer has observed many departments of the administration have switched over to the e-office module of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), according to Vigilance Secretary Yashpal Garg’s order.
The move is aimed at countering allegations by the public of delays in the processing of files by certain officers/officials for various reasons and redressing subordinates’ grievances that their seniors have left documents pending for long periods of time and then covered up the delay by making them sign in backdated or showing the document as pending for discussion.
In an order issued by the Chief Vigilance Officer, all departments, boards, corporations, and undertakings of the administration are required to move all physical files (inter-departmental and intra-departmental) through the NIC’s e-office module, and manual file movement registers should be ceased.
To bring transparency, fairness, and speedy disposal in the processes, the process must be implemented before December 1. “However, where urgent or unforeseen circumstances necessitate movement of physical files through the existing manual system, the reasons for the same must be specifically recorded on the file,” the order stipulates.
As of December 1, the Vigilance Department will take an adverse inference if there are allegations of undue delay on the part of any officer/official when the file is moved through the manual file register, unless the allegations are justified for genuine reasons.
According to UT Adviser-cum-Chief Vigilance Officer Dharam Pal, the public can contact the Vigilance Department via WhatsApp (8360817378) or email (sspvigc.chd@nic.in and vigilance-chd@nic.in) if any officer/official demands bribe or undue favour. According to him, the complainant’s identity would not be revealed.