Major penalty against 445 officials by Central Vigilance Commission for alleged graft

NEW DELHI: At least 445 officials working with different central government departments were penalised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) last year for their alleged involvement in corruption.

Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy today told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that a total of 445 officers were awarded major penalties including dismissal from service and pay cuts, 208 were given minor penalties including denial of promotion and censure and 87 personel were issued warnings for alleged graft in 2011.

As per the practice, the CVC is consulted in two stages-for the first stage advice as to whether evidence collected during the preliminary inquiry merits either a major or minor penalty in disciplinary proceedings.

After conclusion of the inquiry, the case records are again referred to the CVC for the second stage advice on the basis of charges held to be partly or fully proved or not proved.

During the year, the first advice were given for initiating criminal proceedings in 105 cases, major penalty proceedings in 544 cases, 220 for minor penalty proceedings and 448 for other administrative action, Narayanasamy said.