Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) - Establishment, Activities and Functions

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

Established in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by Shri K. Santhanam

First Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India - Nittoor Srinivasa Rau

Statutory status to the CVC in 1988

Functions:

Corruption investigations against government officials are conducted after the government permits them.

The CVC is not an investigating agency but only an advisory body. The only investigation carried out by the CVC is that of examining Civil Works of the Government which is done through the Chief Technical Officer.

Why the CVC has been criticized as a failure? / Why the CV failed to erode corruption in government?

1. The CVC is only an advisory body. Departments can either accept or reject its advice

2. Inadequate resources in terms of the number of staff

3. Permission is required to investigate against any officer of the level of Joint Secretary and above.

4. No powers to register criminal case. It deals only with vigilance or disciplinary cases.

5. Only supervisory powers over CBI. However, CVC does not have the power to send for any file from the CBI or to direct the CBI to investigate any case.

6. Appointments to the CVC are indirectly under the control of the Govt of India