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Functions of Chief Vigilance Officer

Even though detection and punishment of corruption and other malpractices are certainly important, what is more important is taking preventive measures instead of hunting for the guilty in post corruption stage. Therefore, the role and functions of Chief Vigilance Officer has been broadly divided in two parts, which are:-

Preventive

On the preventive side the Chief Vigilance Officer undertake the following measures:

  • Issues necessary systematic measures for curbing corruptions/malpractices to examine in detail the existing Rules and procedures of the Organization with a view to eliminate or minimize the scope for corruption or malpractices.
  • To identify the sensitive/corruption prone spots in the Organization and keep an eye on personnel posted in such area.
  • Conducts surprise regular inspections to detect the systems, its failures and existence of corruption or malpractices.
  • Ensures maintaining of proper surveillance on officers of doubtful integrity.
  • To be vigilant on the observance of Conduct Rules relating to integrity of the Officers like
    • The Annual Property Returns
    • Gifts accepted by the officials
    • Benami transactions
    • Regarding relatives employed in private firms or doing private business etc.

Punitive

Punitive measures include the following

  • To ensure speedy processing of vigilance cases at all stages. In regard to cases requiring consultation with the Central Vigilance Commission, a decision as to whether the case had a vigilance angle shall in every case be taken by the Chief Vigilance Officer who, when in doubt, may refer the matter to his Secretary.
  • To ensure that charge-sheet, statement of imputations, lists of witness and documents etc. are carefully prepared and copies of all the documents relied upon and the statements of witnesses cited on behalf of the disciplinary authority are supplied wherever possible to the accused officer along with the charge-sheet.
  • To ensure that all documents required to be forwarded to the Inquiring Officer are carefully sorted out and sent promptly.
  • To ensure that there is no delay in the appointment of Inquiring Officer and that no dilatory tactics are adopted by the accused officer or the Presenting Officer.
  • To ensure that the processing of the Inquiry Officer’s reports for final orders of Disciplinary Authority is done properly and quickly.
  • To scrutinize final orders passed by the Disciplinary Authorities subordinate to Ministry/Department, with a view to see whether a case for review is made out or not.
  • To see that proper assistance is given to the Central Bureau of Investigation in the investigation of cases entrusted to them or started by them on their own source of information.
  • To take proper and adequate action with regard to writ petitions filed by accused officers.
  • To ensure that the Central Vigilance Commission is consulted at all stages when it is to be consulted and that as far as possible; the time limits prescribed in the Vigilance Manual for various stages are adhered to.
  • To ensure prompt submission of returns to the Commission.
  • To review from time to time the existing arrangements for vigilance work in the Ministry/ Department for vigilance work subordinate offices to see if they are adequate to ensure expeditious and effective disposal of vigilance work.
  • To ensure that the competent disciplinary authorities do not adopt a dilatory or negative attitude in processing vigilance cases, thus knowingly otherwise helping the subject public servants, particularly in cases of officers due to retire.
  • To ensure that cases against the public servants on the verge of retirement do not lapse due to time-limit reasons such as misplacement of files etc. and that the orders passed in the cases of retiring officers are implemented in time.
  • The CVO holds high level meeting with Central Vigilance Commission and Central Bureau of Investigation.
  • Meetings are also arranged with Heads / Chief Vigilance Officers of the organizations under the control of this Ministry for discussing vigilance environment there and to discuss remedial measures for problems concerning vigilance.