New Delhi, Aug 18: Lok Sabha today approved certain amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Bill conferring statutory status to probe corruption charges against Central government public servants and government-owned or controlled corporations, societies and local authorities. The bill, passed by the Lok Sabha in February this year, got the approval of the Rajya Sabha on August seven with certain amendments.
One of the amendments clarifies that CBI is under the control of Cabinet Secretariat.
The bill provides for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to obtain prior approval of the government before conducting any inquiry into an offence committed by officers of the rank of joint secretary or above in any government department or public sector undertaking.
It provides for appointment of a CVC and not more than four vigilance commissioners and stipulates that the head of the commission would be appointed by a three-member panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The legislation, which aims at tackling the menace of corruption among government employees, repeals the government of India resolution of April 1999 under which the commission was functioning as a non-statutory body.
Bureau Report