Vigilance Awareness week celebrations

The Central Vigilance Commission, which has a bounden duty to promote probity in public life and to achieve a corruption-free society, observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year. The week which begins the birth anniversary of late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st October ) is observed as Vigilance Awareness Week. Integrity pledge to employees is administered by the heads of all Ministries/Departments/Central Public Sector Enterprises/Public Sector Banks and all other organizatioss.

This year’s theme is “Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption.” The CVC conceived and established in February 1964 to be the apex vigilance institution monitors all vigilance activity under the Central Government and advises various authorities in Central organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work. CVC exercises superintendence over the vigilance administrations of Central government ministries, departments and organizations and has all the powers of a civil court while conducting any inquiry.

The Commission lists its activities and performance in a Monthly Performance Report. In its latest report, CVC stated that an intensive examination of six works carried out by Chief Technical Examiner’s Organization resulted in recoveries to the tune of Rs 67.57.74 crore during August 2016. Corruption affects the growth of a nation and needs to be treated like a disease. It reduces the government's income and creates inequalities in distribution of income and wealth. It is a major factor hindering development.

Hence, the CVC welcomes complaints from the general public on any corruption issue. In fact, this forms main source of information. However, the CVC does not accept complaints which are anonymous/pseudonymous in nature. The signed complaints can be sent through post, fax or can be handed over personally. In fact, one can lodge a complaint through the CVC website (http://cvc.nic.in/cvoques2.htm) also. Complaints on corruption can also be lodged with the Central Bureau of Investigation, Chief Vigilance Officers of the Department/Organisation concerned or the Head of the Department/ Organisation concerned.

Among anti-corruption measures are identifying complex rules or procedures and simplifying the same, curtailing discretions, ensuring accountability, sensitising officials, facilitating a culture of honesty and promoting ethical practises etc. During the Vigilance Awareness Week, the Commission, therefore, lays greater emphasis on generation of awareness among the public as a more effective and sustainable means of fighting
corruption.