JK govt appoints 115 Vigilance Officers to tackle graft

In a bid to give more teeth to the State Vigilance Commission to fight graft in administrative set-up, Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed 115 Vigilance Officers.
These officers have been appointed in a newly-formed anti-corruption wing of SVC in the state administration after consultation with the State Vigilance Commission, said M A Bukhari, Secretary, General Administrative Department (GAD), J&K Government.
"According to Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Rules, 2013, sanction has been accorded to appointment of 115 Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs), Department Vigilance Officers (DVOs) in respect of Heads of the Department (HoDs) and DVOs in respect of organisations," he said.

As per the SVC rules, 2013, SVC will supervise over vigilance administration of other departments, statutory bodies, corporations, government companies, societies and local authorities.
The primary responsibility for maintaining integrity and efficiency in the organisation shall vest in Administrative Secretary, Head of Department or the authority heading the statutory bodies, corporations and government companies.
As per SVC Rules 2013, the Commission shall exercise superintendence over the Vigilance Administration of various departments of the government or corporations.
The normal tenure of an officer appointed CVO or DVO shall be two years and may be further extended to a period of one year in the same organisation.

The officers shall directly report to the Commission about the probe on complaints referred by the SVC or suo-moto inquiries to seek advice or instruction, the official said in a statement.