The Central Vigilance Commission is the apex vigilance institution, independent of any executive authority, in charge of monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government and advising various authorities in Central Government organisations on vigilance planning, execution, review, and reform. The Central Vigilance Commission was established by the government in February 1964 in response to the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, chaired by Shri K. Santhanam. The CVC Act, passed by Parliament in 2003, gave the CVC statutory status.
Now speaking of vigilance at the state level, the Advocate General of State is the highest law officer in the state. Article 165 of the Indian Constitution provides for the office of advocate general for the states.
It is important for the UPSC examination and other government job aspirants to know relevant facts concerning the aforementioned apex authority in India as they are an important part of the Indian Polity and administrative system.
On that note, let’s discuss the important functions of the Central Vigilance Commission and Advocate General of State that help run the Indian administration smoothly.
Important Functions of Central Vigilance Commission
Vigilance entails taking clean and timely administrative action in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of personnel in particular and the organisation in general, as a lack of Vigilance leads to waste, losses, and economic deterioration.
With that said, CVC members have to carry out the following duties:
- When a public worker (a Central Government employee) violates the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, they inquire or investigate.
- They enquire or conduct investigations into the following officials who violate the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988:
- Members of all-India services serving in the Union and Central government officers in Group ‘A’
- The designated level of officials of the Central Government’s authorities
- They review the state of investigations conducted by the Delhi Special Police Establishment under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
- In cases governed by the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, they issue directives to the Delhi Special Police Establishment.
- They investigate the status of applications for sanction filed with authorised authorities under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988.
- They also supervise the vigilance divisions of government ministries.
- They conduct or cause an investigation into complaints received under Whistleblower Resolution and make recommendations for appropriate action.
- The CVC is consulted when the central government develops rules and regulations governing vigilance and disciplinary matters pertaining to members of the Central Services and All-India Services.
- Members of the CVC serve on the selection committee, which is in charge of recommending the appointment of the Director of Enforcement (ED.)
- CVC is a member of the selection committee that recommends officers for positions higher than the Deputy Director of Enforcement.
- The Commission operates as an authority to receive information relating to suspicious transactions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002.
- It recommends to the Central Government the appointment of the Director of Prosecution in the Central Bureau of Investigation.
- CVC members are members of a selection committee that is responsible for recommending the appointment of officers to posts at the level of SP and above in the CBI, with the exception of the Director of CBI.
- Lokpal reports complaints to the CVC, which launches an initial probe into officers and officials from Groups A, B, C, and D.
Important Functions of Advocate General of State
The following are the key duties and functions of the Advocate General of State:
- Provides legal advice to the state government on subjects referred to him by the governor.
- Performs all functions and legal responsibilities delegated to him by the state governor.
- Bound by the Constitution or any other constitutional legislation for the responsibilities and functions specified therein.