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UP shifts corruption probes of power sector employees to state vigilance department
The Uttar Pradesh government transferred investigations into corruption, bribery and disproportionate assets involving UPPCL staff and related power sector bodies to the state vigilance department. The change excludes electricity theft cases, which will continue to be handled internally, and aims to enhance transparency and accountability in anti-corruption investigations.
Why It Matters
The move creates a clearer separation between enforcement and anti-corruption investigations within the power sector, potentially reducing conflicts of interest and improving oversight.
Timeline
5 Events
May 9, 2026: Article reports implementation and details
May 9, 2026
Hindustan Times reports that the order is in effect and partially supersedes earlier instructions governing vigilance inquiries in the power sector. The arrangement keeps electricity theft and enforcement actions under existing internal mechanisms, but corruption and disproportionate assets investigations involving power corporation personnel will now be handled by the vigilance department, effectively ending the corporation’s role in graft inquiries against its own personnel.
May 5, 2026: Home department order to shift probes to vigilance dept
May 5, 2026
A home department order formalised the decision to transfer corruption and disproportionate assets probes involving power sector employees to the state vigilance department.
2022 amendment clarifying jurisdiction of ADG-linked vigilance
July 25, 2022
A subsequent amendment clarified the jurisdiction and supervisory structure under the ADG linked to UPPCL vigilance and enforcement operations.
2018 notification establishing electricity theft prevention police stations
June 7, 2018
A notification under which electricity theft prevention police stations were established across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh with powers to investigate offences under specified sections of the Electricity Act.
1993 order of the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board on scrutiny of complaints before vigilance referrals
February 17, 1993
An order of the erstwhile Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board prescribed procedures for scrutiny of complaints involving corruption, bribery and malpractice before referring them for vigilance inquiry.