Chief Vigilance Officers act as arm of the Commission in a government organisation. File.
The Central Vigilance Commission today asked all chief vigilance officers (CVOs) of central government organisations and public sector banks to ensure an uninterrupted tenure of minimum four months for officers conducting preliminary enquiry into graft complaints received from the Lokpal.
The CVOs act as the distant arm of the Commission in a government organisation.
According to provisions contained under Section 20 (1) (b) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, complaints in respect of public servants belonging to Groups A, B, C or D are referred by Lokpal to the Central Vigilance Commission for preliminary inquiry, it said in an order.
The Commission forwards such references to the chief vigilance officers concerned for preliminary inquiry and report, the anti-corruption watchdog said.
"The Commission has directed that the Chief Vigilance Officers should ensure that the investigating officer, who is entrusted with preliminary inquiry of any Lokpal referred complaint, in uninterrupted tenure of minimum of 04 months in vigilance units/organisation concerned in order to ensure continuity and timely completion of such complaints," it said.
As many as 14 corruption complaints are pending with the Chief Vigilance Commissioner for conducting preliminary enquiry against Group A and B public servants, according to the latest Lokpal data.