Independent vigilance wing set up, scrutiny norms being tightened?

Department of Telecommunications has set up an independent vigilance wing at the DoT HQ.

Apart from attending complaints and grievances, the vigilance officers provide assistance/liaison with the CBI/Police and other agencies in the investigation of cases and do scrutiny of procurement of goods and services through GeM or any other means.

The vigilance wing looks after the vigilance functions in respect of officers posted in DoT and its sub-ordinate offices. DoT officers deputed to other departments and public sector undertakings including BSNL, MTNL, Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), TCIL, BBNL and C-DoT are covered under the DoT vigilance setup.

22 Vigilance Officers were designated in 22 geographical areas of Dept. of Telecom. The existing system of Vigilance officers has been replaced by the posting of additional 4 Directors (three ITS and one IPTA&FS).

The chief vigilance officer (CVO), DoT, who is of the rank of joint secretary, may assign investigations/any other work to any of these Directors Vigilance, as considered appropriate. Any complaint received in the field, will be transferred to CVO DoT for further decision. However, CVO DOT may seek assistance of officers in the field units on need basis, for preventive vigilance/investigation etc ), says the circular issued by DoT.

Vigilance Clearance (VC) for the field officials (Gr. C & D), which was earlier being handled by respective Vigilance Officers, will henceforth, be undertaken in HQ through SancharVHR portal, with the inputs provided by the concerned administrative unit. Therefore, no VC will be given by any field unit with immediate effect.

The setup of Vigilance Officers as issued vide the office memo, will stand superseded by revised Vigilance Setup w.e.f. the date of issuance of this office memo. Further, the cases presently under examination by any Vigilance officers of Field units, will be handed over to one of Zonal Director Vigilance.

CT Bureau