'Apply mind' while issuing order on graft cases: CVC to departments

NEW DELHI: Apply mind! Central Vigilance Commission adviced its officers dealing with disciplinary and corruption cases involving their subordinates.

In a recent advisory issued to all central government departments and public sector undertakings, the CVC has advised officials exercising disciplinary powers to issue "self-contained" orders against corrupt or undisciplined government employees and with "due application of mind".

Officers should "issue the orders which are self-contained, speaking and reasoned indicating due application of mind by them especially when they differ with the advice or recommendations of Chief Vigilance Officer or Inquiry officer or the Commission as the case may be giving cogent reasons thereof," the CVC said.

The CVC's directive comes after it noticed increasing instances wherein the orders passed by the disciplinary authorities only indicated the officers' designation in the organisation and not their names.

"Commission would, therefore, advice that in all such orders issued in disciplinary matters, the name and designation should also be clearly indicated," it said.

The CVC has asked heads of organisations and the CVO (who acts as distant arm of the probity watchdog) to ensure that all the disciplinary authorities in their organisations "strictly follow" the order.