About Vigilance

Vigilance Department is headed by the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO). He is assisted by Dy. CVO and Investigating Officers experienced in various departments of the VPA. The Vigilance Department arranges periodical meetings with stake holders i.e., vendors, contractors and unions and also have meetings with HoDs. The Department organise training programmes for the benefit of employees working in all Departments of the VPA.

The CVO, on the basis of the investigations carried out, provides advice to the concerned Disciplinary Authorities to bring about qualitative improvement in the functioning of the organisation. The CVO acts as an advisor to the Chief Executive in all matters pertaining to vigilance. The CVO is also a link between the VPA and the agencies like MoPS&W, CBI, CVC, etc. on vigilance matters. The CVO advises Systemic Improvements as a result of inspections, surprise inspections, night inspections and Investigations to ensure Preventive Vigilance and monitor their implementation.

The major work profile of the Department comprises: investigation of complaints received from CVC, MoPS&W, PMO, VPA Management, individuals and other sources; preventive vigilance like surprise inspections, regular surveillance/scrutiny of procurement and contract files and CTE’s intensive examination reports; scrutiny of annual property returns of employees, scrutiny of audit reports and coordination with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Chief Technical Examiner’s Organisation (CTEO).

Objectives

• Minimize corruption and malpractice.
• Institutionalise preventive vigilance
• Suggestions/recommendations to the management to strengthen systems and procedures.
• Help employees to take clean and effective decisions.
• Bring about change in work culture and work ethics
• Create vigilance awareness amongst the employees.
• Help to enhance transparency and minimize excess discretionary powers.
• Propagating the culture of lodging of complaints under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers’ Resolution, 2004 (PIDPR-popularly known as Whistle Blowers’ Resolution), whereby the identity of the complainant would be kept secret and he/she would be protected from victimization.

Functions

Can broadly be divided into three parts:

• Preventive vigilance
• Punitive vigilance
• Participative Vigilance
• Surveillance and detection

While 'punitive action' for commission of misconduct and other malpractices is certainly important, surveillance and preventive measures to be taken by the CVO are equally more important, as these are likely to reduce the occurrence of vigilance cases considerably. Thus the role of Vigilance Department should be predominantly preventive.

Preventive Vigilance functions

• Undertake the study of existing procedures and practices to identify the scope for corruption and required modifications.
• Identify the causes of delay and devise suitable steps to minimise delays.
• Devise methods to ensure that discretionary powers are not exercised arbitrarily.
• Educate the citizens about the procedures of dealing with various matters and also to simplify these as far as possible.
• Identify sensitive posts and ensure periodical rotations of staff and in particular officers.
• Identify the areas prone to corruption and ensure that officers of proven integrity are posted in those areas.
• Ensure that the organisation has prepared manuals on important subjects.
• Develop and implement effective Whistle Blower Mechanism.
• Leverage technology for effective preventive Vigilance.
• Ensure observance of Conduct rules relating to integrity, covering
  • Statement of assets
  • Scrutiny of immovable property returns
  • Keep an eye on benami transactions.
• Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week as per the directions of the Commission
• Scrutinise:
  • Internal Audit report
  • Statutory Audit Report,
  • CAG Audit report.
• Preparation of list of Officers of Doubtful Integrity and Agreed list.
• Conduct CTE type inspections

PIDPI

Public Interest Disclosure & Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution:

Government of India vide office order No.04/02/12 dated 13.02.2012 has authorized the Central Vigilance Commission as the ‘Designated Agency’ to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption of misuse of office and recommend appropriate action under the Public Interest Disclosure & Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution 2004. Accordingly, Commission had also vide circular No. 33/5/2004 dated 17/05/2004 issued guidelines and public notice on the procedure to be followed for filing whistle blower complaint under PIDPI Resolution for protecting identity of complainants/informers.

GOI PIDPI Resolution dated 21.04.2004 & corrigendum dated 29.04.2004 and amendments dated 14.08.2013

Integrity Pact

Integrity Pact & Independent External Monitor(s) (IEM)

The Integrity Pact envisages an agreement between the prospective vendor/bidder and the buyer committing the persons/officials of both the parties not to exercise any corrupt influence on any aspect of the contract. Only those vendors/bidders who have entered into such an Integrity Pact with the buyer (VPA) would be competent to participate in bidding with VPA wherever the value of each contract exceeds Rs 5 Crores.

This Pact is a preliminary qualification for entering into any contract with VPA. The Pact will be effective from the stage of Invitation of Bids till the complete execution of the Contract.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has appointed Shri Devendra Kumar Pathak IPS(Retd.) and Vice Admiral Ashok V Subhedar (Retd) as Independent External Monitors (IEMs) to oversee the implementation of the Integrity Pact.

Address of IEMs is as follows :

• 1. Shri Devendra Kumar Pathak IPS(Retd.)
• Email Id: pathak56515@gmail.com

• 2. Vice Admiral Ashok V Subhedar (Retd)
• Email Id: subhedarashok@gmail.com

CONTACTS

Independent External Monitors (IEMs) in Visakhapatnam Port Authority

Vigilance Awareness Week 2024