CVC constitutes panel to decide on pending cases against corrupt officials

New Delhi: The Central Vigilance Commission has decided to constitute a committee of experts to review pending cases referred to it by CBI for sanction of prosecution against corrupt government officials.

It has sought applications from retired persons having held the position of Secretary or Additional Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent and CMD, Managing Director or whole time Director on the Board of public undertakings, banks, and insurance companies who can be empanelled as experts in the committee.

The interested individuals should possess sufficient knowledge and experience in matters like vigilance and investigation, criminal law, public administration, finance including banking & insurance, tender & procurement etc, must be under 70 years of age and preferably residing in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the CVC said in an order seeking applications from eligible persons.

The tenure of the committee shall be of two years, extendable for a further period of upto two years. The CVC had in July extended by six months the tenure of an existing eight-member committee of experts. The committee was formed for a period of two years on July 1, 2012.

CVC tenders advice in respect of officers coming under its jurisdiction against whom the CBI, after probing the case, has recommended sanction for prosecution.

“On a few occasions, where the Commission has in agreement with the CBI’s recommendations, advised sanction for prosecution against a public servant, the disciplinary authority, in disagreement with the CBI’s recommendations, approaches the Commission for reconsideration of its advice.

“A Committee under the chairmanship of a Vigilance Commissioner along with two experts from the panel takes a final view on the case,” a CVC official said explaining the working of the panel.

The Commission is awaiting for over four months sanction of prosecution against 46 officials allegedly involved in corruption, according to its latest data. As per the norms, sanction for prosecution has to be decided within four months time.

PTI