Punjab Assembly passes bill to dissolve state Vigilance Commission

The Punjab Assembly has passed a bill to dissolve the state Vigilance Commission, saying that the body was not serving any useful purpose except being a burden on the exchequer.

Background

• The Punjab State Vigilance Commission Act, 2020 has been passed by the previous government to curb corruption among the state's public servants.
• In on-going session of the Punjab assembly, the act got repealed and state vigilance commission has been abolished.
• The Assembly also passed the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Common Lands (Regulations) Amendment Bill, 2022. 

The State Vigilance Commission:

• It is a statutory Body made under an act passed by the respective state governments.
• The principal objective of the State Vigilance is to curb the evil of corruption amongst Public Servants and to prevent leakage of Government revenue by taking action against unscrupulous Government Servants who indulge in mal-practices and corruption.
• The State Vigilance commission also helps various other Government Departments by suggesting ways and means to combat corruption and to prevent leakage of Government Revenue.

The various functions of the State Vigilance Bureau are:-

• Investigation of Criminal Cases of corruption/cheating/ fraud referred to it by the Government for investigation.
• Apprehending corrupt Govt. Servants red-handed by means of raids.
• Carrying out vigilance enquiries referred to it by the Vigilance Department.
• Generating inspection/source reports regarding corruption/ leakage of Govt. revenue for the usage of the Govt. or for suo-moto action.
• Giving No Objection Certificates from vigilance angle to various persons/Govt. officials. NOC is required for the following purpose :-
  • Promotion Cases
  • Cases of Superannuation
  • Passport for Govt. Employees
  • Cases of Deputation
  • Any other cases in which, such clearance is made mandatory by the State Government.
• To carry out special checking of various works/projects undertaken on behalf of the Government to ensure uniform quality and standard of the works being so undertaken.
• Any other function assigned to it from the Government from time to time.

Is it worth to abolish the State vigilance commission?

• No, it is one of the acts which can lead to increase in departmental corruption.
• Lack of monitoring can lead to misuse of funds and government resources for personal benefits.

The Central Vigilance Commission

• In 1964, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was set up by the Government on the recommendations of Santhanam Committee, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.
• The Supreme Court in the judgement of Vineet Narain & Others vs. Union of India (1997) gave directions regarding the superior role of
• This multi-member Commission consists of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Member).
• Appointment: The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs (Member) and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People (Member).
• The term of office: The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners is four years from the date on which they enter their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Other Bodies with similar roles

• Crime Investigation Bureau (CBI)
• Enforcement Directorate(ED) 
• National Investigating Agency (NIA)