The State government has directed all its departments to take prompt action when officials are found guilty of stealing or misusing government money or property. This order follows stern observations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which expressed grave concern over delays in filing FIRs in such cases. On January 5, the Finance department issued a circular instructing departments to “ensure immediate action in every case of misappropriation, defalcation, theft or loss of government money or property.” The circular demands timely legal steps, including the registration of first information reports (FIRs), wherever needed, strictly following the law. These instructions specifically address cases highlighted by the PAC and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The PAC had strongly criticized the lack of measures to fight corruption in government departments in its 69th report from October 2024 and the 83rd report from September 2025. The Committee also rejected the claim that departmental action cannot be taken because a Vigilance investigation is already ongoing. For example, in a case involving the Treasuries department, the PAC stated that the director’s claim — no departmental action due to a Vigilance order forbidding parallel inquiries — was “not acceptable to the Committee.” The circular also mandates strict timelines for completing departmental actions. Any delays will be taken seriously as departments must submit action-taken reports to the PAC promptly.