CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION । CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION PARAGRAPH

 CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION

Introduction :- The central vigilance commission is an authority that is meant for preventing corruption in different departments at the central level in the government of India. This body is stated as an autonomous body that is free from control from any of the executive bodies in the nation. Central Vigilance Commission keeps a watch on every vigilance activity that is happening in the Government of India. It also instructs in the planning, executing, reviewing, and reforming of the vigilance works of the different authorities of the central government.

Establishment of Central Vigilance Commission :- 

The Central Vigilance Commission is the body working at the central levels and was instituted in the year 1964.

It was formulated in an executive resolution of the government of India on the 11th of February in the year 1964.

The Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption recommended the establishment of this body. Shri K. Santhanam was the head of this committee. Initially, CVC was neither regarded as constitutional nor a statutory body.

Central Vigilance Commission was given the statutory status after the CVC Act was passed in Parliament in the year 2003.

The Central Vigilance Commission is regarded as an independent body and is only answerable to the parliament of India.

Organizational Structure of Central Vigilance Commission :- 

Central Vigilance Commission is a body that is constituted of different members. The body is administered by the Central Vigilance Commissioner. The Central Vigilance commissioner gets assisted by two vigilance commissioners.

The CVC is an autonomous body that has its own secretariat, the Chief Technical Examiner’s wing of Commissioners for Departmental Inquiries.

The Central Vigilance Commission has 299 members sanctioned strength. This strength includes the Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners.

Appointment of Members of CVC :- 

The President of India appoints the Central Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners.

The President of India appoints them on the recommendation of the committee formed by the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

The salary and allowances of the Central Vigilance Commissioner is the same as that of the chairman of UPSC and that of the Vigilance Commissioner is similar to that of members of UPSC.

Removal of the Members :-

The members of the Central Vigilance Commission can only be removed from their position by the President of India after the misbehavior or incapacity is proved by the Supreme Court.

The Vigilance Commissioners can be suspended or ordered not to attend the office till the inquiry period on the orders of the president.

The Vigilance Commissioner can also be removed by the President if he is found to be involved in acts of criminal activities or dishonesty, engages in any other paid employment along with government duty, is physically unfit, has been found involved in other interests.

Role/Functions of Central Vigilance Commission :- 

Central Vigilance Commission does not investigate by itself but monitors all the vigilance activities under the central government. It refers to all the complaints received to the Central Bureau of Investigation or Ministry of Investigation for investigation of the cases.

It instructs different government departments in planning, executing, and reforming their vigilance work.

It receives different complaints regarding corruption, misconduct, lack of integrity, and different malpractices by different officials in the departments at the central level. It advises and suggests the action that has to be taken.

The complaints can be registered by Lokpal, the central government, and Whistleblowers.

An annual report is presented by CVC every year to the government that elaborates the work done by the CVC throughout the year.

It also specifies the system failure in the departments that resulted in corruption, highlights the cases where the advice of the commission was ignored, and also suggests different methods by which corruption can be reduced.

Purpose of Central Vigilance Commission :- 

The Central Vigilance Commission has been formed in India to keep a check on the corruption activities taking place in different central departments in the nation. This body works with a vision to stop the corrupt practices that directly or indirectly inhibit the growth and progress of the nation. CVC needs the permission of the government to take action after investigation of any corrupt activity that is taking place at the central level.

Limitations of Central Vigilance Commission :- 

The Central Vigilance Commission is not stated as an investigating agency and thus it has its role only as an advisory body.

CVC can only advise in vigilance and disciplinary cases but does not have the power to register the criminal cases.

CVC is regarded as a supervising authority over CBI but it does not have any control over CBI in reality.

The CVC does not have the power of directing CBI to conduct inquiries on the officers of the level of Joint Secretary.

Conclusion :- 

There are several developments in different sectors that have taken place in the nation after India got independent. The surplus growth and progress of different sectors contribute to the growth of the entire nation. Corruption is acting like a pest that affects the development of the nation. The authorities like CVC in India must be given full power and enough resources so that they may be able to act accordingly. The reduction in corruption level in India can help the nation to excel in different fields and this can happen only if the drawbacks of the Central Vigilance Commission are addressed. I have tried to make this essay a simple one by writing it in easy language.