Excellent study material for all civil services aspirants - begin learning - Kar ke dikhayenge!
SHARE:
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment
- The story: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has modified the guidelines pertaining to the transfer and posting of officials in the vigilance units of government organisations, restricting their tenure to three years at one place. There are 3 principal actors at the national level in the fight against corruption: the Lokpal, the CVC and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- Points to note: The tenure of personnel in a vigilance unit at one place including lower level functionaries, should be limited to three years only. The tenure may be extended to three more years, although at a different place of posting. The personnel, who have completed more than five years in vigilance units at the same place, should be shifted on top priority basis. After transfer from the vigilance unit, a compulsory cooling off period of three years should be observed before a person can be considered again for posting in the vigilance unit of the organisation concerned.
- Reasons: It has been observed that undue long stay of an official in such a sensitive post at one place, has the potential of developing vested interests, apart from giving rise to unnecessary complaints/allegations etc.
- Details: The CVC was conceived to be the apex vigilance institution, free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government. It advises various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work. It was set up by the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam. The Parliament enacted Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (CVC Act) conferring statutory status on the CVC. It is an independent body which is only responsible to the Parliament, and submits its report to the President of India.
- Functions: To exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The CVC receives complaints on corruption or misuse of office and recommends appropriate action. Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach CVC: Central government, Lokpal and Whistle blowers. The CVC has no investigation wing of its own as it depends on the CBI and the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO) of central organizations, while CBI has its own investigation wing drawing its powers from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
- Composition: It is a multi-member Commission consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than 2 Vigilance Commissioners (Member). The Commissioners are appointed by the President of India on the recommendations of a committee consisting of Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (if there is no Leader of Opposition then the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha). Their term is 4 years or 65 years, whichever is earlier. Removal is done by the President on grounds of bankruptcy, unsound mind, infirmity of body or mind, sentenced to imprisonment for a crime, or engages in paid employment or has acquired financial or other interest that might affect his judgment.
- Knowledge centre:
- Lokpal - The Lokpal is the first institution of its kind in independent India, established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 to inquire and investigate into allegations of corruption against public functionaries who fall within the scope and ambit of the above Act. It is committed to address concerns and aspirations of the citizens of India for clean governance. It shall make all efforts within its jurisdiction to serve the public interest and shall endeavor to use the powers vested in it to eradicate corruption in public life. India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.The commitment of the Government to provide clean and responsive governance is reflected in passing of the legislation and creation of the body of Lokpal, to contain and punish acts of corruption. The Lokpal has jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against anyone who is or has been Prime Minister, or a Minister in the Union government, or a Member of Parliament, as well as officials of the Union Government under Groups A, B, C and D. So far, it has been a toothless and ineffectie body in India, largely ceremonial.
- Lokayukta - The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in various Indian states. Lokayuktas can not be dismissed nor transferred by the government once they are appointed, and can be removed by passing an impeachment motion by the state assembly. The Lokayukta, along with the Income Tax Department and the Anti Corruption Bureau, mainly helps people publicise corruption among the Politicians and Government Officials. Maharashtra was the first state to introduce the institution of Lokayukta. The state ultimately decides how powerful a Lokayukta will be.
- [message]
- About Central Vigilance Commission
- (1) When and Why did the Government set up a body like CVC? The Central Vigilance Commission was set up by the Government in February,1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.
(2) What is the background of Central Vigilance Commission? CVC are conceived to be the apex vigilance institution, free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government and advising various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilant work. Consequent upon promulgation of an Ordinance by the President, the Central Vigilance Commission has been made a multi member Commission with "statutory status" with effect from 25th August,1998.
(3) What is the present status of the Central Vigilance Commission? The CVC Bill was passed by both the houses of Parliament in 2003 and the President gave its assent on September 11, 2003. Thus the Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003 (No45 0f 2003) came into effect from that date.
(4) The Commission shall consist of: A Central Vigilance Commissioner - Chairperson; Not more than two Vigilance Commissioners - Members; Vide GOI Resolution on "Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer" dated April 2004, the Government of India has authorized the Central Vigilance Commission as the "Designated Agent" to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office and recommend appropriate action.
(5) Vision & Mission
Background - The Central Vigilance Commission was setup by a Government Resolution in 1964. The Commission was accorded the status of independent statutory authority through the Central Vigilance Commission Act,2003.
Vision - As the apex integrity institution, the Commission is mandated to fight corruption and to ensure integrity in public administration.
Mission - To promote integrity in the governance processes by:
Creation of a credible deterrence against corruption through prompt enforcement of anti-corruption laws and regulations
Undertaking effective preventive measures to minimize the scope of corruption.
Raising public awareness to inculcate ethical values and reduce society's tolerance towards corruption.
* Content sourced from free internet sources (publications, PIB site, international sites, etc.). Take your
own subscriptions. Copyrights acknowledged.
COMMENTS