Central Vigilance Commission

Central Vigilance Commission

Part of: Prelims and GS-II- Statutory Bodies 

Context Principal Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Sanjeev Sanyal has recently observed that the Vigilance Directorate of the Railways is functioning in violation of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines.

About Railways Vigilance Directorate

• The Vigilance Directorate plays a very important role in the area of management in the Indian Railways. 
• It investigates complaints, conducts sample checks in respect of managerial decisions to determine their conformity to rules and procedures.

About The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) 

• It was set up by the Government in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam. (Santhanam Committee).
• It is a statutory body governed by the Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003.
• Mandate: To inquire into offences which might have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants. 
• Composition: The Commission shall consist of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson); and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Members).
• Appointment: They are appointed by the President of India on recommendation of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.