Union Budget 2012-13: About Rs 19 crore allocated for Lokpal, CVC

NEW DELHI: Government today cut the budget of the Central Vigilance Commission by about Rs 1.5 crore to nearly Rs 19 crore for meeting its establishment-related expenditure and those of the proposed anti-corruption body, Lokpal.

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The budgetary provisions given to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for Vigilance is Rs 18.61 crore for 2012-13 as against Rs 20.10 crore in the current fiscal ending March 31.

Incidentally, the amount allocated for 2011-12 was to meet establishment-related expenditures of the CVC, which acts as the government's nodal agency to check corruption in the country and ensuring transparency.

However, government has also made a token provision for Lokpal in the budgetary allocation for vigilance activities.

"The provision (of Rs 18.61 crore) is for establishment related expenditure of the Central Vigilance Commission and a token provision for Lokpal," according to the notes on Demand of Grants by the government.

The Lokpal Bill is under consideration of the Parliament. The Centre had allocated Rs 17.66 crore to the CVC during 2010-11.