Vigilance Commissioner Rajiv to act as Central Vigilance Commission chief

NEW DELHI: Vigilance Commissioner Rajiv has been authorised to act as the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

According to a a notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the President has authorised Rajiv, a Vigilance Commissioner in CVC, to act as the Central Vigilance Commissioner with effect from Sept. 29, 2014, until the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.

The vacancy had occurred after Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar completed his tenure on Sunday. Kumar, a former Defence Secretary, had taken oath as the chief of the probity watchdog on July 14, 2011.

The CVC is headed by a Central Vigilance Commissioner and has two Vigilance Commissioners.

The other Vigilance Commissioner, JM Garg, completed his tenure on Sept. 7, following which Rajiv, a former Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force, was left as the lone commissioner in CVC.

In the event of any vacancy in the office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, the President may authorise one of the Vigilance Commissioners to act as the Central Vigilance Commissioner until the appointment of a new incumbent, according to the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.

Supreme Court is hearing a case related to the lack of transparency in the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had on Sept. 18 assured the apex court that no final decision would be taken on the appointment of the CVC chief and vigilance commissioners during pendency of the case.

Supreme Court has fixed Oct. 14 as the date for the final hearing in the matter.