764 November 24 2021

Central Vigilance Commission: India’s Watchdog Against Corruption: Explained By Advocate ALOK KUMAR

Central Vigilance Commission Act (Simple Summary for Students)

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is like India’s watchdog against corruption. It was created in 1964 in New Delhi after Shri K. Santhanam, a freedom fighter and follower of Mahatma Gandhi, suggested that the country needed a body to fight corruption.

The CVC is made up of one main head, called the Central Vigilance Commissioner, and up to two other members, called Vigilance Commissioners. They are chosen by the President of India, but the President first takes advice from a committee that includes the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The people selected must have experience in government work and policy-making.

Each Commissioner works for four years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first. If they want to leave, they must write a resignation letter to the President. They can only be removed by the President, and only after a proper inquiry. Their salaries and pensions are paid from the Consolidated Fund of India, which is the same fund used to pay judges. Every year, the CVC has to present a report to the President about the work it has done.

The CVC has powers similar to a Civil Court. This means it can call people for questioning, check documents and evidence, examine witnesses, and conduct inquiries just like a judge. Its main job is to ensure honesty and prevent corruption in government offices.

To understand this better, let’s look at some real-life situations. Imagine a big entrance exam where some officials take money to leak the question paper. The CVC can investigate such corruption. If a company bribes officers to win a road construction project unfairly, the CVC can step in to check the deal. If a person is asked to pay money to get a government job, the CVC can take action against such corrupt officers. Similarly, if money meant for building schools or hospitals is stolen by officials, the CVC can hold them accountable. Even in cases where citizens complain that an officer asked for a bribe to sign important papers, the CVC can look into it. It also protects honest officers, called whistleblowers, who report corruption in their departments.

In short, the CVC acts like a guardian that protects fairness, honesty, and justice in public life. It plays a very important role in making sure that government work is done properly and without corruption.

The first important section is Section 3, which explains how the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is formed. According to this section, the Commission will have one Central Vigilance Commissioner, who acts as the head, and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners as members. This section is important because it clearly defines the structure of the Commission.
The second important section is Section 4, which talks about the appointment of Commissioners. It says that the President of India will appoint the Commissioners, but only after receiving recommendations from a special committee. This committee includes the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. This ensures that appointments are fair and balanced, and not decided by just one person.

The third important section is Section 6, which deals with the removal of Commissioners. It makes it clear that the Commissioners cannot be removed easily. Only the President of India has the power to remove them, and even then, it can only happen after a proper inquiry, usually by the Supreme Court. This section is important because it protects the independence of the Commission and prevents unfair removal of officials who are investigating powerful people.

The fourth important section is Section 8, which explains the functions and powers of the CVC. Under this section, the CVC can look into corruption cases involving central government employees, supervise corruption investigations done by the CBI, and advise government departments on vigilance matters. The CVC also has powers similar to a Civil Court, which means it can call people for questioning, check documents, and examine witnesses. This section is the heart of the Act because it describes what the CVC can actually do.

The fifth important section is Section 14, which requires the CVC to prepare a report every year about the work it has done. This annual report is submitted to the President of India and then presented before Parliament. This section is crucial because it ensures that the CVC is accountable to the nation and its work remains transparent.

In short, these five sections—formation of the Commission, appointment of members, removal process, powers and functions, and annual reporting—are the backbone of the Central Vigilance Commission Act. They explain how the CVC works, what it can do, and how it remains independent and accountable.

NOTE:“NO SPEECH, NO FREEDOM.”

Author

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Adv. ALOK KUMAR
Advocate Serving Delhi NCR
Delhi High Court & District Courts
LL.B.▪︎Faculty of Law▪︎Delhi University


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