One of the most important functions of the Chief Vigilance Officer is to take preventive measures against corruption and other malpractices apart from detection and punishment of those involved in corrupt practices.
Broadly, the roles and functions of the CVO are as follows:
- To examine in detail the existing Rules and procedures of the Organisation with a view to eliminate or minimise the scope for corruption or malpractices.
- To identify sensitive/corruption prone spots in the Organisation and keep an eye on personnel posted in such area.
- To plan and enforce surprise inspections and regular inspections to detect system failures and existence of corruption or malpractices.
- To maintain proper surveillance on officers of doubtful integrity.
- To ensure prompt observance of Conduct Rules relating to integrity of the Officers such as
- Annual Property Returns
- Gifts accepted by the official
- Benami transactions
- Employment of relatives in private firms or private business etc. - To ensure speedy processing of vigilance cases at all stages. In cases requiring a decision with regard to vigilance angle and those requiring consultation with the Central Vigilance Commission, a decision shall in every case be taken by the CVO.
- To ensure that charge sheet, statement of imputations, lists of witnesses and documents etc. are carefully prepared and copies of all the documents relied upon and the statements of witnesses cited on behalf of the disciplinary authority are supplied wherever possible to the accused officer along with the charge sheet.
- To ensure that all documents required to be forwarded to the Inquiring Officer are carefully sorted out and sent promptly.
- To ensure that there is no delay in the appointment of Inquiring Officer and that no dilatory tactics are adopted by the accused officer or the Presenting Officer.
- To ensure that the processing of the Inquiry Officer's report for final orders of Disciplinary Authority is done properly and quickly.
- To scrutinize final orders passed by the Disciplinary Authorities subordinate to Ministry/Department, with a view to see whether a case for review is made out or not.
- To see that proper assistance is given to the C.B.I. in the investigation of cases entrusted to them or started by them on their own source of information.
- To take proper and adequate action with regard to writ petitions filed by accused officers.
- To ensure that the Central Vigilance Commission is consulted at all stages where it is to be consulted and that as far as possible; the time limits prescribed in the Vigilance Manual for various stages are adhered to.
- To ensure prompt submission of returns to the Commission.
- To review from time to time the existing arrangements for vigilance work in the Corporation to see if they are adequate to ensure expeditious and effective disposal of vigilance work.
- To ensure that the competent disciplinary authorities do not adopt a dilatory or negative attitude in processing vigilance cases.
- To ensure that cases against the public servants on the verge of retirement do not lapse due to time-limit for reasons such as misplacement of files etc. and that the orders passed in the cases of retiring officers are implemented in time.
- To ensure that the period from the date of serving a charge sheet in a disciplinary case to the submission of the report of the Inquiry Officer, should, ordinarily, not exceed six months.
- CVO holds regular meeting with Central Vigilance Commission and Central Bureau of Investigation.