The idea of verification of property returns of top public servants through an Integrity Commission advocated by the India Rejuvenation Initiative (IRI) has evolved over a period of time spanning over a decade.

Identification of three ‘most corrupt’ in Uttar Pradesh in 1996-97

It may be recalled that the Uttar Pradesh I.A.S. Association was the only Service Association in the country to undertake a self-cleansing exercise by exerting peer group pressure on the ‘rotten eggs’ in 1996-97 and 1997-98. The U.P.I.A.S. Association identified three most corrupt I.A.S. officers through secret ballot and forwarded their names to the State Government for appropriate action as per the laws of the land.

There was intense debate among the members of the Service before the decision to identify three ‘most corrupt’ officers through secret ballot was taken by the General Body of the U.P.I.A.S. Association. The set of eight articles / open letters reproduced below were written by IAS officers during 1996-1997 and reveal the ‘inner mind’ of IAS officers on various issues relating to corruption in public services. Many of these points and counter points remain relevant even today. These would help the readers to understand the background in which the path breaking decision to identify three most corrupt officers through secret ballot was taken by the U.P.I.A.S. Association.

Certain other Related Readings are as under: