The IEMs are appointed by a government organisation to supervise the compliance of Integrity Pact (IP) between prospective bidders and the buyer for a procurement and other works, committing the persons or officials of both sides not to resort to any corrupt practises at any stage of the contract.
The CVC has been emphasising on the appointment of IEMs and adoption of IP by government departments and public sector undertakings for any contractual work being outsourced by them.
"At the time of appointment as IEM, the person should be less than 70 years of age. On completion of tenure of initial three years, if the age of 70 years has been crossed, further extension of two years will not be admissible," the Commission said in an office memorandum issued to all chief vigilance officers of central government departments.
However, no reason was mentioned in the missive about the age-cap but officials in the probity watchdog said the decision was taken after the Commission found instances where some of the IEMs were not attending to their works regularly citing bad health or other old-age ailments.
"IEMs need to hold regular meetings and at times require travelling. It is a hectic job. There have been a few instances
where the monitors were not doing their job expected by them. Hence the Commission has decided to put the age bar," a CVC official said requesting anonymity.
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As per the guidelines, the IEMs should be eminent personalities of high integrity and reputation. The Commission would approve the names of IEMs out of the panel of names, initiated by the organisation concerned, and in consultation with the Chief Vigilance Officer.
A recent study by Transparency International has found various alleged irregularities on the part of some of the government PSUs in following IP pact aiding corruption.