Role of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in Corruption Cases

The Central Vigilance Commission is a statutory body and its functions and powers are prescribed under Section 8 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 which empowers the Commission to- 

• # exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Central Bureau of Investigation in so far as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; 
• # give directions to the CBI for the purpose of discharging the responsibility under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the DPSE Act, 1946; 
• # inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into any complaint received against any official specified in sub-section (2) of Section 8 on allegations of offences committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988; 
• # to review the progress of investigations conducted by the CBI in PC Act cases; 
• # to exercise suprintendence over the vigilance administration of the various Central Government Ministries/Departments or Corporations established by or under any central Act, Government Companies, Societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Government; 
• # tender advise to the Central Govt. Ministries/Departments/Public Sector Enterprises /Public Sector Banks/ Autonomous organisations/ Societies and Local Authorities owned & controlled by the Central Govt. 

In addition, amendments to Section 8 of the CVC Act, 2003 were made recently through the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013(1 of 2014) by inserting new sections 8A and 8B empowering the Commission to inquire into references made by the Lokpal in respect of members of Group ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ services of the Central Govt. and such level of officials or staff of the Corporations, companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government as that Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf . 

In order to strengthen the Central Vigilance Commission, it has been given a statutory status by the enactment of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, on account of which it can function in an independent and objective manner. The CVC also has been bestowed with the powers of superintendence over the CBI in so far as it relates to investigation of offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, to ensure greater objectivity and accountability in its functioning. With the recent amendments carried out in the CVC Act, 2003, through the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and the powers and functions already available with the Commission, the Central Vigilance Commission is in a position to function in an independent and assertive manner for tackling corruption cases.

ROLE OF CVC IN CORRUPTION CASES

195 . Smt. RAMA DEVI
CHANDRAKANT BHAURAO KHAIRE

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-