Demanding or accepting bribes will become a more challenging task here as cops will have to deal with more than just prying eyes. For, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Gujarat, has decided to gift its staff new ‘digital eyes’ to trap state government functionaries and officials. After facing flak for its lack of latest equipment in a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report published earlier this year, the bureau has added spy cameras to its arsenal of technology.
“Over the last four months, we have purchased and provided video equipment as well as high-end recorders to all 30 ACB police stations across Gujarat. This is in addition to the audio recording equipment that the officials have been using so far,” said in-charge director of state ACB, Ashish Bhatia.
The bureau was recently allocated funds of nearly Rs30 lakh, which were utilised to procure equipment including miniscule spy cameras, recorders, laptop computers as well as servers.
However, he refused to divulge specifics. “Disclosing the exact technology we are employing would compromise its utility, as the people we plan to trap would become aware of it,” Bhatia explained. Introduction of this new technology will smoothen the processes of trap and decoy for the bureau, which was criticised for lack of the same in an audit report by CAG of India, released in October. The report stated that each ACB police station in the state is required to have spy camera, voice recorder and other logistical instruments for effective operational preparedness.
However, there were only 2 spy cameras and 5 voice recorders for the entire state and those too were old and obsolete, it added.
In November 2012, the bureau’s director stated that a proposal for purchase of equipment worth Rs38.61 lakh was sent to the government during 2011-12. However, the government had directed ACB to make fresh proposals in the ensuing year. In the meanwhile, one set of equipment costing Rs60,000 was purchased by re-appropriation of funds from other heads in January 2012, the report stated.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}