Centre urged to amend Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act
RTI activist Balvinder Singh alleged that the provision is used by investigating agencies to shield officials from scrutiny in Jammu and Kashmir.
RTI activist Balvinder Singh on Saturday called for an immediate amendment to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) in Jammu. Speaking at the Press Club Jammu, Singh alleged the provision is frequently used by investigating agencies to obstruct action on allegations of large-scale corruption.
According to a report by Greater Kashmir, Singh was joined by civil society members Manjeet Singh Bali, Rajinder Singh Sudan, Jasbir Singh, Satinder Pal Singh, Anil Sharma, Manmohan Singh, and Satinder Singh.
Singh alleged that when he provided documentary evidence of corruption involving crores of rupees, Section 17A prevented investigations. He claimed that prior sanction has become a shield that prevents serious allegations from being investigated.
The activist cited an ACB alert note from September 19, 2022, following his exposure of a multi-crore GeM procurement scam. He alleged that despite the note recommending corrective measures and recovery of losses, no FIR was registered.
Singh also raised concerns regarding JKSPDC, alleging that tyres were procured through GeM at rates higher than market prices. He further questioned why his representation regarding substandard interlocking paver blocks in Jammu Municipal Corporation works was forwarded to the Divisional Vigilance Officer instead of prompting an independent inspection.
Singh urged the central government to amend Section 17A so that the requirement of prior approval does not become an unreasonable barrier to genuine investigations while retaining safeguards against malicious complaints.