Powers and Functions of CVC

· to exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police

Establishment (DSPE) with respect to investigation under the Prevention of

Corruption Act, 1988; or offence under CRPC for certain categories of public

servants and to give directions to the DSPE for purpose of discharging this

responsibility;

· to review the progress of investigations conducted by the DSPE into offences

alleged to have been committed under the PC Act;

· to undertake an inquiry or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into

any transaction in which a public servant working in any organisation, to

which the executive control of the Government of India extends, is suspected

or alleged to have acted for an improper purpose or in a corrupt manner;

· to tender independent and impartial advice to the disciplinary and other

authorities in disciplinary cases, involving vigilance angle at different stages

i.e. investigation, inquiry, appeal, review etc.;

· to exercise a general check and supervision over vigilance and anti-corruption

work in Ministries or Departments of the Govt. of India and other organisations

to which the executive power of the Union extends; and

· to chair the Committee for selection of Director (CBI), Director (Enforcement

Directorate) and officers of the level of SP and above in DSPE.

· to undertake or cause an inquiry into complaints received under the Public

Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer and recommend appropriate

action.

Recently, in response to a PIL which was filed in the Supreme Court on account of the murder of

Satyendra Dube, the Supreme Court directed the Government to designate a

suitable machinery to act on complaints from "whistle blowers" till such time as a

suitable legislation was enacted to that effect. The Central Government while

implementing the directive of the Supreme Court has reposed its faith on the CVC.

Through a Resolution dated 21 April, 2004, the Government has designated the

Central Vigilance Commission as the agency to act on complaints from "whistleblowers"

till such time as the Parliament passes a law on the subject. According to

the GOI Resolution on "Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer", 2004,

the Commission has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of keeping the

identity of the complainant secret and the power to take action against complainants

making motivated or vexatious complaints. There is no restriction on jurisdiction of

the Commission in the Government of India Resolution, 2004.