Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

21-September-2012 18:38 IST

There is A Need to Reduce Negative Connotation of Vigilance and to Promote Preventive, Predictive and Pro-Active Vigilance to Ensure offenders are Caught before Commission of the offence: says Vigilance Commissioner

Shri J.M. Garg, Vigilance Commissioner, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) emphasized that there is a need to reduce negative connotation of vigilance. For this, Shri Garg said that there is an urgent need to promote preventive, predictive and pro-active vigilance so that offenders are caught before commission of the offence. He advised CBEC officers that the delay in vigilance proceedings should be avoided. He also called upon the disciplinary authorities to set example by being transparent, diligent and dedicated to work. Shri Garg was speaking after inaugurating the two day seminar on “Transparent and Robust Vigilance Mechanism” here yesterday. Revenue Secretary Shri Sumit Bose, Chairperson, CBEC Ms. Praveen Mahajan and all Members of CBEC, Chief Commissioners and Director Generals of the CBEC and other senior officials also attended the said seminar.

Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) organised the aforesaid two day interactive Seminar at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 20th & 21st September, 2012. The objective was to improvise the vigilance mechanisms to make it more responsive, transparent, efficient and robust system, by having open dialogue and interaction amongst senior officials of CBEC, CVC and CBI.

Today on the second day of the Seminar, Shri A P Singh, Director, CBI and Shri Wazahat Habibullah, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities and former Chief Information Commissioner addressed the CBEC officers among others.

Addressing the officers, Shri A.P.Singh, Director, CBI, expressed concern over falling rank of India in Transparency International Index. He stressed that bonafide decisions should not be pursued from vigilance angle, as one gets wiser on hindsight. He highlighted about phenomenon of collusive corruption and methods to check it. He expressed that transparency can be enhanced by introducing e-tendering, putting all the websites, disclosure of information etc. He also stressed upon the need for expeditious disposal of vigilance cases.

Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities spoke at length about relevance of RTI in improving the in-house system of department and containing the menace of corruption. He explained to the participating CBEC officers that the RTI act was only a means to meet the end result of weeding out corruption. He emphasized the need to enhance transparency and accountability in the system.

Revenue Secretary Shri Sumit Bose while concurring with the need for use of technology for improved systems, reduced human interface and transparency also highlighted the need for creating an enabling environment where honest administrators can work without fear and are duly rewarded. He stressed that the bonafide mistakes should be distinguished from the malafide mistakes and genuine decision makers must be encouraged and protected, while guilty should be quickly punished. In this regard, there should be regular interaction with the CVC and CBI, and action plans may be worked out, he added.

Addressing the officers, Ms. Praveen Mahajan, Chairperson, CBEC highlighted the measures taken by CBEC to make it a simple, transparent and non-adversarial tax administration through usage of ICT. She emphasized the continued need for constantly being vigilant and diligent as the stakes are high which has a direct bearing on the economic health of the nation and billions of people, hence there is a need for ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption in the department. She stressed upon that while there are stringent anti- corruption laws, but they can be significant only when they are reflected in our attitude and approach.

Smt. Jaya Balachandaran, Addl. Secretary, CVC, Shri Anil Kumar Sinha, IPS, Addl. Secretary, CVC, Prabodh Kumar, IPS, Head of the Zone , Anti Corruption (HQ) CBI and Anil Palta, IPS, Head of Zone, Chandigarh CBI and Shri Balwinder Singh, IPS (Retd), Advisor to the Ministry of Company Affairs, also addressed the participants during the two day seminar on various technical matters related with Vigilance Administration and coordination between various anti corruption wings of the Government, which was followed by interactive sessions.

Ms Shobha L Chary , Member (P&V) CBEC and Sri R S Sidhu, DG (Vig) CBEC addressed the participants and shared their valuable perspective on various facets of Vigilance Administration to tone it up.

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DSM/RS/Hb

Preventive vigilance: promote proactive detection and transparency to reduce corruption and protect bona fide decision making. Promote preventive, predictive and pro active vigilance to intercept wrongdoing before offences occur; ensure timely, transparent and diligent disciplinary processes; distinguish bonafide administrative decisions from mala fide conduct so honest administrators are protected while corrupt conduct is expeditiously addressed; adopt technology and transparency measures such as e tendering and online disclosures; and strengthen interagency coordination and regular interaction among vigilance and investigative bodies to expedite disposal and improve accountability.