Modified Guideline for Vigilance officer

Q. What is the news?

• 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.

Q. What are the modified guidelines? 

• Personnel can have two continuous postings in vigilance units at different places of posting, each running to a maximum of three years. Personnel who have worked for over three years at one place should be transferred in phases, with priority given to those who have served for the maximum period, the order said.
• Those having completed over five years at one place should be shifted on top priority basis. 
• In the first phase, at least 10% of such personnel should be shifted in a sequential order without any exception. In case someone has served at one place for over three years, his tenure at the next place would be curtailed to ensure that the combined tenure was limited to six years.
• The first phase of transfer/posting has to be completed by May 31. 
• After transfer from the vigilance unit, there would be a compulsory cooling off period of three years before anyone could be considered again for posting in the unit.

Q. What is Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)?

It is an apex Indian governmental body set up 1964 on the recommendations of the K. Santhanam committee , to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.

It became a Statutory Body with the enactment of CVC Act, 2003.

Q. What is its Composition?

1. A Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson)
2. Up to Two Vigilance Commissioners (Members)

• The Vigilance Commissioners are appointed for a term of Four years OR until they attain 65 years of age (whichever is earlier).

Q. What is its function? 

• It monitors 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 recommends appropriate action on complaints on corruption or misuse of power.
• The CVC – Under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – can inquire into offences reported against certain categories of Public Servants. (However, remember, CVC is NOT an Investigating agency).