There is a saying that 'modern problem requires modern solution', and the fear of the anti-corruption unit 'Vigilance Bureau' has forced Punjab officers and many senior government employees to adopt a new method to accept bribes via UPI. Vigilance Bureau which has been working pro-actively ever since the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government came to power has been successfully able to induce fears among the tainted government employees and officers. However, sources in the Vigilance Bureau informed True Scoop News that the anti-corruption unit has flagged a new strategy of corrupted officials who are using UPI apps like Google Pay, Phone Pe, Paytm, etc. for bribes.
As per the source, senior officials and employees of the State Government have reportedly started using Google Pay and other UPI apps to accept bribes. This trend is emerging as a way to evade detection since bribes cannot be traced once they are sent via Google Pay. The source informed that the tainted officials and employees are allegedly asking for bribes before carrying out government work, and they are being very cautious because the Vigilance department is actively investigating such cases. The source further stated that in recent months, the Vigilance Bureau in Punjab has received several complaints about bribery. They have initiated action in six cases and are currently investigating 22 complaints.
'Fear of Vigilance Bureau among corrupt Officials'
The serious work of the Vigilance Bureau in Punjab can be understood by the fact that a year after the Bhagwant Mann-led government started an ‘anti-corruption action line’, more than 300 corrupt former ministers, MLAs, top-level officers, and department officials were put behind the bars. The arrested list included Dr Vijay Singla, former health minister and MLA, MLA Amit Rattan Kotfatta, Surinder Kamboj, father of MLA Jagdeep ‘Goldy’ Kamboj, etc. Bhagwant Mann in May 2023 had stated, "Our party spearheaded the anti-corruption campaign, so we will make Punjab free of corruption. I pledge that my government will further make strenuous efforts to provide clean, transparent and responsive governance to the people of state.”