Govt seeks nominations for vigilance officers in PSUs

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs seeking names of suitable officers for appointment as Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) on 33 vacancies which are likely to arise during 2013-14.

The CVOs act as an extended arms of the Central Vigilance Commission.

They are mandated to screen all complaints of graft and criminal conspiracy before referring them to the CBI and monitoring on corruption, malpractices and misconduct on the part of employees and to take remedial action, a DoPT official said.

Besides, the CVOs are tasked to closely monitor the case related to criminal misconduct of employees and coordinating with the CBI for expeditious disposal of such cases.

The DoPT has directed the cadre controlling authorities to ensure that the recommended officers meet all guidelines. It has also warned officials against withdrawing their names after selection as doing so may lead to debarment for 5 years from holding such posts in the future.

"If an officer does not join within one month of issue of his appointment order, his appointment would be treated as cancelled and the officer concerned would stand debarred from Central deputation for a period of five years from the date of issuing of orders of his appointment.

"Further, the officer would also be debarred from being considered for deputation on foreign assignments or consultancies abroad during the period of debarment," the letter said.

The officers or their batch empanelled to hold Joint Secretary level post at the Centre are eligible to apply for the vacancies at JS level. Whereas, the officers sponsored for Director level posts should have completed 14 years of Group 'A' service.