Representative image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major move to curb corruption and financial fraud, a special police unit will investigate complaints in the cooperative sector. A team headed by DySP is appointed in each district by bringing changes to the vigilance provisions in the Co-operative Act.
Co-operative Police Vigilance will now have the power to receive complaints directly and investigate matters without fear of interference from cooperative organisations.
At present, the co-operative vigilance system is headed by DIG and three zonal offices under separate DySPs. They have no authority to receive complaints or conduct investigations on their own. The officers investigate the cases suggested by the registrar and submit reports. However, this system has failed to produce any real benefits. But by amending the existing co-operative law, the police will hold more power to investigate the complaint.
With the amendment, an official with SP rank will head the co-operative police vigilance. Further, the registrar will be stripped of the power to direct the police.
They could investigate every complaint received about co-operative organisations in the state. Irregularities found during department-level enquiries, audit reports and co-operative inspection reports can be sent to Co-operative Vigilance for investigation by the Registrar. If a complaint is received about any co-operative society, the government can hand it over to the police without the recommendation of the department. Vigilance can also take up investigation on the basis of any reports received by the government.
Complaints can be lodged against a co-operative society by its members, investors or shareholders but not the general public.
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