Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

1.      Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964 to address governmental corruption.

2.      It was set up by the Government of India in February, 1964 on the recommendations of K. Santhanam Committee.

3.      Nittoor Srinivasa Rau was selected as the first Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India.

Organization:

4.      The Commission shall consist of:

a.       A Central Vigilance Commissioner - Chairperson;

b.      Not more than two Vigilance Commissioners - Members

5.      The current Central Vigilance Commissioner is Mr. K.V. Chowdary, and among the two Vigilance Commissioners, one is Mr. Rajiv and the other is Shri T.M. Bhasin

Appointment and Removal:

6.      The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners are appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendation of a Committee consisting of The Prime Minister of India (Chairperson), The Minister of Home Affairs and The Leader of the opposition party in parliament.

7.      The Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner can be removed from his office only by order of the President on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity after any reference made by Supreme Court.

Powers and Functions

8.      To exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) with respect to investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; or offence under CRPC for certain  categories of public servants and to give directions to the DSPE for purpose of discharging this responsibility;

9.      To review the progress of investigations conducted by the DSPE into offences alleged to have been committed under the PC Act;

10.  To undertake an inquiry or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into any transaction in which a public servant working in any organisation, to which the executive control of the Government of India extends, is suspected or alleged to have acted for an improper purpose or in a corrupt manner;

11.  To tender independent and impartial advice to the disciplinary and other authorities in disciplinary cases, involving vigilance angle at different stages i.e. investigation, inquiry, appeal, review etc.;

12.  To exercise a general check and supervision over vigilance and anti-corruption work in Ministries or Departments of the Govt. of India and other organizations to which the executive power of the Union extends; and

13.  To chair the Committee for selection of Director (CBI), Director (Enforcement Directorate) and officers of the level of SP and above in DSPE.

14.  To undertake or cause an inquiry into complaints received under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer and recommend appropriate action.

Limitations

15. CVC is only an advisory body. Central Government Departments are free to either accept or reject CVC's advice in corruption cases.
16. CVC does not have adequate resources compared with number of complaints that it receives. It is a very small set up with sanctioned staff strength of 299. Whereas, it is supposed to check corruption in more than 1500 central government departments and ministries
17. CVC cannot direct CBI to initiate inquiries against any officer of the level of Joint Secretary and above on its own. Such permission has to be obtained from the concerned department.
18. CVC does not have powers to register criminal case. It deals only with vigilance or disciplinary cases.

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