Govt asks for applications for the post of CVC and Vigilance Commissioner

THE government is looking for suitable candidates to replace Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), KV Chowdhry and Vigilance Commissioner, TM Bhasin, both of whom will demit office soon. Both the CVC and the Vigilance Commissioner will hold office for a 4-year-term or till the candidate attains the age of 65 years. According to government rules, the CVC is not allowed to seek any...

Deputy secretary and director who are willing to work in CVC may end up getting longer deputation tenure. How?

THE officers working as deputy secretary or director in various ministries and departments of the Central government are now given an option of getting additional tenure of two years if they are selected for Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). “If the officer is selected for the post (in CVC), it will be treated as ‘shift” from Central Staffing Scheme post, which will entail additional tenure of two years as per…

IAS Anindo Majumdar is new secretary in Central Vigilance Commission; also here is the full list of new CEOs of 10 nationalised banks

THE government has appointed new MD-cum-CEOs of 10 nationalised banks. But first, here are a few other important appointment-related news including the announcement of Kamlesh N Vyas as the new secretary of the department of atomic energy and Anindo Majumdar as the secretary in the CVO: 

CVC director prematurely repatriated; deputation tenure of ex-PM Vajpayee’s secretary extended

Kundan Singh, 1990 batch Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS) officer and director in Central Vigilance Commission, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. In a DoPT notification issued on Thursday, it was clearly mentioned that the premature repatriation of the officer is on the grounds of

CVC ropes in IIM-Ahmedabad to develop integrity index for 25 organisations including Railways, CBDT, ONGC, SAIL etc

IN A unique move, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has decided to engage IIM-Ahmedabad to develop Integrity Index of 25 government boards, agencies and PSUs which will eventually find a raking of these organisations in terms of integrity. But which are those government organisations which the CVC-IIMA will rank in integrity? Those include…

Will the CVC be given a jurisdiction over regulatory bodies like TRAI, IRDA and SEBI? Any decision on Wednesday?

COME Wednesday, an inter-ministerial meeting to be chaired by a joint secretary-ranked officer of the department of personnel and training (DoPT) will deliberate on whether Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) should be given a jurisdiction over various regulatory authorities such as telecom regulator TRAI and insurance regulator IRDA etc., an issue that has not been resolved for over a decade. The meeting to be held on August 19, 2015 in North Block will also try to find an answer whether the CVC…

CVC, DRDO, CIC chiefs appointed, but NHAI turns headless; road transport secretary is temporary boss of NHAI

WITH the appointment of former IRS KV Chowdary as Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and former IAS Vijai Sharma as Chief Information Commissioner, two of the key government agencies -- CVC and CIC -- that remained headless for months, have got their anchors in place. Also, less than a fortnight ago, another key organization -- Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) which remained headless for almost four months after its high-profile DG Avinash Chander was sacked, got a new director general—S Christopher. But now, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a statutory body that plays a key role in building highways across India, turned headless after…

IAS Loses Out? Ex-IRS officer Kosaraju Veeraiah Chowdary tipped to be the next CVC

THE PM-headed panel that includes Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge selected the next Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), a post that has been lying vacant since September last year when the then CVC Pradeep Kumar had retired. And a former IRS officer Kosaraju Veeraiah Chowdary, the Income-Tax sleuth who played a critical role in probes like 2G spectrum allocation and the HSBC Geneva taxpayers list, is tipped to be the next CVC, according to…

CVC to empanel 6 to 8 former bureaucrats to assist the Commission

BY January 19, retired secretary or additional secretary-level bureaucrats, former PSU chairmen and whole time directors etc. are expected to apply for the position of experts in Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). About 8 such vacancies have arisen. The experts will help the Commission in reconsidering proposals of sanction for prosecution of officers. The remuneration at Rs 5,000 is at per sitting basis. Here are the eligibility and other terms and conditions:

Alok Kumar is new secretary CVC; Deepak Shetty appointed as DG Shipping

ON FRIDAY, the government announced a number of key appointments including the post of secretary of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and DG Shipping among others. An old hand in tourism ministry Anand Kumar has been appointed as MD of National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation.  Here are 14 such appointments:

Centre begins CVC selection process afresh; asks earlier applicants to reapply

THE Centre has decided to begin the process of selecting the new Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) all over again, asking all those who had applied or whose names were sponsored or nominated in response to DoPT's earlier circular dated July 21, 2014, to apply again. The last date of application is now November 5, 2014, meaning the current adhoc arrangement of the CVC would continue at least for two and half months. It is, however, not known why the government…

MEA Integrity Pacts with Vendors: Selection process of independent monitors extended

THE government has extended the last date of receipt of application for the post of independent external monitor (IEM) till 2 pm, August 19, 2014. Two such monitors with civil service background, retired judges, eminent private persons among others, will implement pre-contract integrity pact to be signed between the ministry of external affairs and…

Govt kick-starts process of selecting the next CVC; Read DoPT’s explanation of Leader of Opposition

CVC Kumar's term ends on Sep 28

THE government began the process of selecting the next Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) on Monday when DoPT secretary SK Sarkar wrote a formal letter to all Government of India secretaries to nominate suitable candidates  for replacing incumbent Pradeep Kumar, 1972 batch former IAS, whose tenure ends on September 28, 2014. After the Supreme Court’s 2011 judgement that the post of CVC and Vigilance Commissioners would no longer be...

Former CVC Pratyush Sinha to head the panel for determining which IAS or IPS will move to Telangana

A 2006 file photo of Pratyush Sinha

IN A few weeks’ time, a panel headed former CVC and 1969 batch retired Bihar cadre IAS Pratyush Sinha will suggest the government on how to distribute cadres of three All India Services viz. IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service between two states: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In fact, India’s…

Question Time: Will Indian civil servants be evaluated by a third party?

IF you are a bureaucrat, you can't afford to miss the replies of these three questions that have been admitted to Lok Sabha for December 9, 2009. Whereas the first question pertains to "any proposal for a third party evaluation for civil servants", the second question is related to the admission criteria for Sanskriti School where children of most of civil servants study. The third question which babu blogger has listed as important for Indian bureaucrats is on Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)'s instructions if any to identify sensitive posts in various ministries/departments of the Union government. Here are the excerpts of the questions: 1) Sushil Kumar Singh (MP) asks (a) whether the in-house appraisal of civil servants fail to reward the performers; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (c) whether there is any proposal for a third party evaluation for civil servants; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the measures taken by the government for making the appraisal of civil servants more objective? 2) Capt. Jai Naraian Prasad Nishad (MP) asks (a) the criteria laid down for admission in Sanskriti school; (b) whether the government is aware that only children of upper strata of society are getting admission in Sanskriti school; (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (d) whether the government is providing any financial assistance to Sanskriti school; (e) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year; and (f) the steps taken by the government for making Sanskriti school a centre of learning for all classes of society? 3) Dr M Jagannath (MP) asks (a) whether the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has issued any instructions to identify sensitive posts in various ministries/departments of the Union government; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (c) whether all ministries/departments these sensitive posts pursuant to the said instructions; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (e) the number of organizations yet to comply with the circular and the action taken by the CVC in this regard; and (f) the time by which the instructions of the CVC will be complied? Watch out for the minister's replies of these unstarred questions in Parliament on December 9.

Bureaucrats as Authors The new book “Energy Security and Climate Change” written by R V Shahi, former power secretary has just been released. The book was recently released in New Delhi by Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. The function, presided over by Union minister of power Sushilkumar Shinde, was also attended by power secretary H S Brahma and chairperson of Central Electricity Authority Rakesh Nath. Mr Shahi's earlier works include “Indian Power Sector – Challenge and Response (2005)” and “Towards Powering India: Policy Initiatives and Implementation Strategy (2007)” BoI announcement: Posting Comments If you find a note saying "Comment could not be processed" while posting comments, don't get disheartened. Just give a second try, it would be immediately processed. Be a party to babu blogger's attempt to spot the right news in power corridors, and tell what does it mean for you and your life!

Govt fast-tracts investigation on US companies bribing Indian bureaucrats

IN A move to fast-track the process of investigation against the government officials allegedly to have received bribe from US companies, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has asked the concerned departments for expeditious action against officials belonging to the ministry of railways, ministry of defence, department of agriculture & cooperation, department of revenue and government of Maharashtra. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, minister of state in the ministry of personnel, public grievances & pensions, Prithviraj Chavan named of the American companies believed to be involved in the graft case and also listed out what all has been done so far. Significantly, the Indian Ambassador in USA Meera Shankar first informed the government by writing a formal letter that several references regarding illegal payments to the officials in India were made in an US report on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and Anti-corruption Enforcement for the second half of 2008 and early part of 2009. In September, 2009, the CVC asked the CBI to look into each of these instances of corruption and furnish a report. The CBI's report is awaited. The companies which have allegedly made improper payments to some Indian officials, according to the minister's statement in Lok Sabha, are Pioneer Friction Ltd., part of Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Webtec), York India (a subsidiary of York International Corporation), DE - Nocil Corp. Protection Ltd (a subsidiary of Dow Chemicals Corporation), Pride Foramer (a part of Pride International Inc.) and an unindicated front comapny of Richard Morlok and Mario Covino. It was further informed that CBI was investigating a case of improper payment to a key official in Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, Faridabad by De-Nocil, a subsidiary of Dow Chemicals. Also, the ministry of defence has constituted a Board of Officers for investigating the allegations pertaining to Indian Navy and the ministry of railways suspended business dealings with Pioneer Friction, Kolkata and Webtec, USA as a result of the allegation. Read: Who are ‘officials in the Indian Railway Board’ who took dollar bribe? (October 16, 2009) Senior officials from shipping ministry & Assam government in disproportionate assets case CBI has registered 88 cases against All India Services Officers including IAS, IPS, IFS (Forests) from 2006 till October 30, 2009. Significantly, maximum number of cases (65) were of 2006. During the said period, CBI has filed charge-sheets in 102 cases against All India Services Officers and registered 5 cases of disproportionate assets against All India Services Officers for which no charge-sheets have been filed. Out of these five disproportionate assets cases, three cases are against the officers of joint secretary level and above, working in Madras Fertilizers Ltd, Chennai; government of Assam and ministry of shipping. Defence activities beyond the purview of RTI Under the ministry of defence, only Defence Research and Development Organisation and Border Road Development Board are exempted from the purview of the Right to Information Act 2005. However, information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations are not exempted, defence minister AK Antony said in a written reply to Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Netagiri vs Babudom: MPs to question on bureaucrats' asset disclosure, retirement age & CVC cases in winter session of Parliament

THE world of babudom will come under more scrutiny during the ongoing winter session of Parliament which began on Thursday. Members of Parliament (MPs) are going to ask a number of questions regarding acknowledgement of MPs' letters, prosecution of civil servants, retirement scheme of government employees etc., according to a provisional list of unstarred questions to be admitted in Lok Sabha dated November 25, 2009. The provisional list of questions admitted for that date includes questions related to quota for IAS and IPS, cases referred to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), modernisation CBI and medium of UPSC examinations etc. It remains to be seen what the government answers on contentious questions like declaring of bureaucrats' assets under the Right to Information( RTI) Act, which is also listed as an unstarred question. The provisional questions also include how to make RTI more effective and legislation for whistle blowers. Read: Netagiri & Babudom: A new set of instructions issued to help officers communicate with MPs (August 7, 2009) Former defence secretary Vijay Singh sworn-in as member UPSC Vijay Singh, former defence secretary of government of India took the oath of office and secrecy as Member, Union Service Public Commission on Thursday. The oath was administered by UPSC chairman Prof D P Agrawal. Mr Singh, a 1970 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS, held several important assignments both in the state of Madhya Pradesh and at the Centre during his 37 year career, a government release said. His assignments at the Centre included director in the department of cultural affairs, joint secretary in the ministry of health & family welfare, additional secretary in the ministry of commerce, ministry of information & broadcasting and in ministry of finance. He became chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh in October, 2004 and served there till January, 2006. Then, he served as secretary to government of India in the department of AYUSH and later in the department of road transport & highways before becoming the country's defence secretary in August, 2007.

Action & Appointments a) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Sudhakar Rao, a 1973 batch Karnataka cadre IAS (Retd) as Member, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PSEB) for a tenure of three years or until the age of 65 years or until fruther orders. b) Rajiv Mehrishi, a 1978 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS, presently in the cadre, has been appointed as additional secretary in department of agricultural research and education under the ministry of agriculture in the vacancy of A K Upadhyay, a 1975 batch Bihar cadre IAS. c) Alok Kumar, a 1984 batch Assam cadre IAS, has been appointed as joint secretary in the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Result for CDS Exam( I )-2009 announced The UPSC has announced the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (I)-2009 held by the Services Selection Board of the ministry of defence for admission to the 128th Course of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course or 187th F(P) Course. Results are available at UPSC website --- www.upsc.gov.in

CVC recommends major penalty proceedings against 70 officers

THE Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) advised imposition of major penalty against 70 officers including 11 from Public Sector Banks, eight from Central Board of Excise and Customs, seven from MCD, six from Department of Telecommunications, five each from United India Insurance Co. Ltd. & ministry of defence, four each from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan & ministry of railways, three from Central Board of Direct Taxes, two each from National Insurance Co. Ltd., Central Coalfields Ltd., CPWD & DDA, a government release said. The Commission disposed of 472 cases during September 2009 referred to it for advice. Of these, 987 complaints were sent for necessary action/ATR whereas 144 complaints were sent for investigation and report. On the Commission’s recommendations, the competent authorities issued sanctions for prosecution against 26 officers including 18 from CBEC, 3 from ministry of personnel, public grievances & pensions, 2 from CBDT and one each from home affairs, BSNL & ministry of railways. Major penalty was imposed on 47 officers. These included 16 from Public Sector Banks, 14 from ministry of railways, 7 MCD and 3 from DDA. Also, conducting of technical examination of some departments led to the recoveries to the tune of Rs 61.25 crore.

Babus In Demand: One vacancy in CAT, Jaipur

Applications are invited from suitable officers for one vacancy of Administrative Member in Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) at Jaipur occurring on June, 2010. A Member shall hold office for a term of five years, extendable by one more term of five years. But no Member shall hold office after he attains the age of 65 years. The conditions of service of Chairman and Members shall be the same as applicable to Judges of the High Court. For details check the DoPT Circular DIPP secretary & WIPO DG sign MoU Ajay Shankar, secretary, department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) and Dr Francis Gurry, director general of World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation. The areas of cooperation envisaged include, assisting India in implementing its national IP and innovation strategy; empowering knowledge creators in the use of IP; building awareness on IP as a critical tool for promoting innovation and creativity through public outreach activities, a government release said. The MOU also provides for cooperation between the WIPO Worldwide Academy (WMA) and the National Institute for Intellectual Property Management, Nagpur.

Ministries told to redress grievances of citizens within 2 months

OFFICIALS will no longer be able to sit over files comprising complaints and grievances of aam aadmi after the government issued directions to all ministries and departments to redress grievances of the citizens within a period of two months. Also, with the introduction of a Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), citizens will be able to view the status of his complaint on the web, minister of state in the ministry of personnel, public grievances & pensions, Prithviraj Chavan said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. During the last three and half years (up to June 30, 2009), the total number of cases of public grievance received in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was 109620. For cabinet secretariat, the number for the same period was 101995, the minister informed the Parliament. Steps to weed out corruption in corridors The government has taken up a few steps to implement its policy of “Zero Tolerance against Corruption”. These include: 1) Issue of Whistle Blowers Resolution, 2004 2) Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005 3) The pro-active involvement of ministry/department through Annual Action Plan on Vigilance as a preventive measures 4) Issues of comprehensive instructions on transparency in tendering & contracting process by the CVC 5) Introduction of e-Governance and simplification of procedures and systems 6) Issue of Citizen Charters.