How To Lodge A Vigilance/Corruption Complaint With CVC

Key Takeaways

• Establishing Central Vigilance Commission to address the issue of corruption in India.
• Created on the recommendations by the Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
• Complaint handling policy of CVC.
• Jurisdiction of the Commission for lodging a complaint.
• Lodging a vigilance/corruption with CVC.
• Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer’s Resolution for whistle blower’s complaint.
• Tracking status of a complaint (online)

Introduction

• Since the beginning of time, corruption in one form or another has pervaded Indian society.
• The economic activities of the union, state, and municipal government entities are impacted by corruption in India in a variety of ways. India's economy is said to be suffering from corruption.
• The government established the Central Vigilance Commission to address the issue (CVC).

Central Vigilance Commission

• It was established in 1964 to combat governmental corruption. A law giving the CVC statutory status was passed by the Parliament in 2003.
• It is tasked with overseeing all vigilance activity carried out by the Central Government of India, advising various authorities in Central Government organizations on planning, executing, reviewing, and reforming their vigilance work.
• It has the status of an autonomous body, independent from any executive authority.
• It was established on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, led by K. Santhanam.
• In addition to detailing the work it accomplished, the CVC's annual report highlights system flaws that enable corruption in various Departments and Organisations, system improvements, various preventive measures, and instances in which the commission's recommendations were disregarded, among other things.
• The Commission consists of:

1. A Central Vigilance Commissioner who is the Chairperson;
2. No more than two Vigilance Commissioners as Members.

Complaint handling policy

• According to the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, the Central Vigilance Commission is required to investigate complaints against public employees where there are suspicions of corruption.
• The Chief Vigilance Officer of the relevant organization, the CBI, or any other anti-corruption investigative agency within the Government of India may initiate an investigation on behalf of the Commission.
• The Commission is empowered to inquire or cause inquiries to be conducted into offenses alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Jurisdiction of the Commission

• A complaint can be lodged only against officials belonging to the following categories of organizations falling under the jurisdiction of CVC

1. Central Government Departments and Ministries
2. Public Sector Entities of the Central Government
3. Nationalized insurance firms and banks
4. Centrally administered territories such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu, Puducherry, etc.
5. Autonomous organizations established under a Parliamentary Act or the administrative jurisdiction of the Government of India like AIIMS etc.
6. Societies and local governments that the Indian government owns or controls.

• Private citizens and organizations affiliated with the State Governments are not subject to the Commission's authority.

Lodging of Complaints

• A written communication or letter addressed to the Commission may be used to file a complaint. One may also file a complaint online at www.portal.cvc.gov.in or at www.cvc.gov.in by clicking the "Lodge Complaint" tab on the home page.
• Complaints filed in writing should include the sender's full postal address, as well as any applicable phone or mobile numbers, and precise information about the problem. The Commission will not respond to or consider complaints received to any of its officers' email addresses.

Whistle Blower Complaints (Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer’s Resolution)

• When reporting an incident of corruption, a complainant who wishes to remain anonymous should file a claim under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers Resolution (PIDPIR), also known as the Whistle Blower Provision.
• The Commission's duties include protecting the complainant from physical threats, harassment, and victimization in addition to keeping the complainant's identity confidential.

Procedure of lodging complaint under PIDPIR

• Under PIDPIR, complaints may only be sent via postal service. "PIDPI" or "Whistle Blower" should be written on the envelope. On the body of the letter, the complainant shouldn't include his name. In order to make them easy to omit, personal information should either be provided individually or at the beginning or conclusion of the letter which can be blocked out.
• Any individual who suffers harm as a result of making a complaint in accordance with the whistle blower rules may submit a request for relief to the Commission. The Commission would then take appropriate action to protect the complainant.

Tracking status of the complaint

• The complainant can use the complaint number provided by the Commission (Ph: 24651020) to see the status of action on complaints that have been forwarded to the authorities concerned for investigation and report by clicking on the ‘Complaint Status’ displayed on the Commission’s website – www.cvc.nic.in

Conclusion

• Over the last few years, India has emerged as a progressive and vibrant economy, showing rapid and sustained growth across all sectors of the economy. With huge investments being made in the country there is a greater need for the country to be viewed as more transparent and committed to the elimination of corruption from public life. This has raised expectations from the Central Vigilance Commission as an agency that contributes significantly to eradicating corruption and shortcomings from the system of administration.
• Combating corruption requires a multipronged strategy that calls for the involvement of all the stakeholders in society. As the public has become more aware and vocal about expressing its dissatisfaction,it would help in the elimination of irregular/corrupt activities from the governance mechanism.