Contents
- PM to inaugurate National Conference on Vigilance and Anti Corruption.
- PM to interact with beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi Scheme .
- Water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission inaugurated on the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur.
- Defence Minister Dedicates BRO Road to the Nation in East Sikkim – A Fillip to Defence Preparedness and Socio-Economic Development.
PM to inaugurate National Conference on Vigilance and Anti Corruption.
Focus: GS 2; Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Why in News?
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the National Conference on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, on the theme सतर्क भारत, समृद्ध भारत (Vigilant India, Prosperous India).
The Central Bureau of Investigation organizes this National Conference coinciding with ‘Vigilance Awareness Week’, which is observed in India every year from 27th October to 2nd November. Activities in this conference would be focused on Vigilance issues aimed at raising awareness and reaffirming India’s commitment to promotion of integrity and probity in public life through citizen participation.
The three day conference would discuss the Challenges in investigation in foreign jurisdictions; Preventive Vigilance as a Systemic Check against Corruption; Systemic improvements for financial inclusion and prevention of bank frauds; Effective Audit as an Engine of Growth; Latest amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act as an impetus to the fight against corruption; Capacity Building and Training; Multi Agency Coordination-an enabler for faster and more effective Investigation; Emerging Trends in Economic Offences, Cyber Crimes and Transnational Organized Crime-measures to Control and Exchange of Best Practices among Criminal Investigative Agencies.
Vigilance means to ensure clean and prompt administrative action towards achieving efficiency and effectiveness of the employees in particular and the organization in general, as lack of Vigilance leans to waste, losses and economic decline.
About Central Bureau of investigation (CBI);-
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is a apex anti corruption body in the country. It looks the matters related to crime and it is also the Interpol agency in India. The CBI has its Academy located at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier investigating police agency in India.
It functions under the superintendence of the Dep’t. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India – which falls under the prime minister’s office.
However for investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, its superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission.
Its conviction rate is as high as 65 to 70% and it is comparable to the best investigation agencies in the world.
The academy was established in 1966. Over the years, it has emerged as a major police training institution. CBI has also opened three Regional Training Centers (RTC) at Kolkata, Chennai & Mumbai.
CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act (RTI).
CBI is India’s officially designated Single point of contact for liaison with the Interpol.
The CBI headquarter is located in CGO Complex, near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
Vision of CBI;-
The motto of CBI is “Industry, Impartiality and Integrity”.
The vision of CBI is to focus on the following:-
Combating corruption in public life, curb economic and violent crimes through meticulous investigation and prosecution.
Evolve effective systems and procedures for successful investigation and prosecution of cases in various law courts.
Help fight cyber and high technology crime.
Create a healthy work environment that encourages team-building, free communication and mutual trust.
Support state police organizations and law enforcement agencies in national and international cooperation particularly relating to enquiries and investigation of cases.
Play a lead role in the war against national and transnational organized crime.
Uphold Human Rights, protect the environment, arts, antiques and heritage of our civilization.
Develop a scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
Strive for excellence and professionalism in all spheres of functioning so that the organization rises to high levels of endeavor and achievement.
Structure of C.B.I.;-
The CBI is headed by a director, an IPS officer with a rank of Director General of Police or Commissioner of Police (State).
Director of CBI has been provided security of 2 year tenure, by the CVC Act, 2003.
The amended Delhi Special Police Establishment Act empowers a committee to appoint the director of CBI.
The committee comprises of the following people:-
Prime Minister (chairperson)
Leader of Opposition
Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended by the Chief Justice.
Functions of CBI;-
The broad function of the CBI is to investigate:-
Cases of corruption and fraud committed by public servants of all Central government, Departments, Central Public Sector Undertakings and Central Financial Institutions.
Economic crimes, including bank frauds, financial frauds, Import Export & Foreign Exchange violations, large-scale smuggling of narcotics, antiques, cultural property and smuggling of other contraband items etc.
Special Crimes, such as cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, sensational homicides, kidnapping for ransom and crimes committed by the mafia/the underworld.
Jurisdiction of CBI;-
The legal powers of investigation of CBI are derived from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE) 1946. This Act confers concurrent and coextensive powers, duties, privileges and liabilities on the members of (CBI) with Police Officers of the Union Territories.
The Central Government may extend to any area, besides Union Territories, the powers and jurisdiction of members of the CBI for investigation subject to the consent of the government of the concerned state.
The CBI can investigate only such of the offences as are notified by the Central Government under the DSPE Act.
CBI vs. State Police;-
Primarily, state police is responsible to maintain law and order in the state.
CBI may investigate:-
Cases which are essentially against central government employees or concerning affairs of the Central government.
Cases in which the financial interests of the central government are involved.
Cases relating to the breaches of central laws with the enforcement of which the government of India is mainly concerned.
Big cases of fraud, cheating, embezzlement and similar other cases when committed by organized gangs or professional criminals having ramifications in several States.
Cases having interstate and international ramifications and involving several official agencies where it is considered necessary that a single investigating agency should be in charge of the investigation.
ACB = Anti Corruption Bureau.
IPC = Indian Penal Code
CRPC = Central Reserve Police Force
Criticism;-
Though CBI has been instrumental in saving the economic health of the country and solving many difficult cases, but it has been criticized on various grounds. Time and again, it has been criticized for engaging in nepotism, wrongful prosecution and corruption.
CBI has been criticized for its mishandling of several scams. It has also been criticized of following the orders of the central government. Many political and constitutional experts have claimed that the CBI lacks required autonomy to work as an independent investigating agency. Moreover, the existence and operation of CBI are not supported by any legal framework.
Extra Info;-
CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION (CVC);-
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964.
CVC was set up based on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
It was headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance.
The CVC was set up by the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam.
The CVC became a Statutory Body with the enactment of CVC Act, 2003.
The CVC is an independent body, free of control from any executive authority, (It is NOT controlled by any ministry or department).
The CVC is responsible only to the Parliament.
The CVC is not an investigating agency.
The CVC may have the investigation done through the CBI or Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO) in government offices.
Composition:–
It is a multi-member Commission consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than 2 Vigilance Commissioners (Member).
The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs (Member) and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People (Member).
Tenure:–
The term of office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners is 4 years from the date on which they enter their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Role and Functions:-
Exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The CVC receives complaints on corruption or misuse of office and recommends appropriate action. Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach CVC: Central government, Lokpal and Whistle blowers.
CVC has no investigation wing of its own as it depends on the CBI and the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO) of central organizations, while CBI has its own investigation wing drawing its powers from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
PM to interact with beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi Scheme.
Focus: GS 2 ; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Why in News?
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will interact with the beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi Scheme from Uttar Pradesh.
About PM SVANidhi Scheme;-
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), for providing affordable loans to street vendors.
Earlier, the Scheme was announced as a part of the Economic Stimulus-II under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
The scheme would benefit vendors, hawkers, thelewale and people involved in goods and services related to textiles, apparel, artisan products, barbers shops, laundry services etc. in different areas.
The vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000.
It will be repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year.
On timely/early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy at 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on six monthly basis.
There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan.
Over 50 lakh people, including vendors, hawkers, thelewalas, etc. are likely to benefit from this scheme.
Street vendors from peri- urban/ rural areas have become beneficiaries of an urban livelihood programme for the first time.
MFIs/ NBFCs/ SHG Banks have been allowed in a scheme for the urban poor due to their ground level presence for the first time.
Note : Please Click on this link and read detailed explanation about SVANidhi latest developments.
Water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission inaugurated on the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur.
Focus: GS 2 ; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why in News?
Chief Minister of Manipur Shri N Biren Singh inaugurated two water supply projects for two villages under Jal Jeevan Mission. The two villages on the Indo Myanmar border are remote and once totally insurgent infested, now getting regular water supply under Jal Jeevan Mission. Khangbarol village of Khengjoy sub division, Chandel, an aspirational district in Manipur is situated 69 km away from district headquarter.
Defence Minister Dedicates BRO Road to the Nation in East Sikkim – A Fillip to Defence Preparedness and Socio-Economic Development.
Focus: GS 2 ; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why in News?
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was in Sikkim to dedicate the 19.85 Km Alternate Alignment of the National Highway 310 from km 0.00 to km 19.350 to the Nation. Necessitated due to the previous alignment having seen extensive damages due to sinking and other natural hazards, the road serves as an important link to bolster defence preparedness in the Nathula Sector in particular and in whole of East Sikkim in general. The Raksha Mantri while addressing the gathering on the occasion complimented the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for its unwavering commitment towards delivering outstanding quality infrastructure in record time and optimal costs.
About Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (everything is achievable through hardwork);-
BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country.
It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
It has diversified into a large spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building projects, defence works and tunneling and has endeared itself to the people.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO)(Indian army corps of engineers) develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
BRO maintains operations in twenty-one states, one UT (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
The BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometers of roads and about 12,200 meters of permanent bridges in the country.
The BRO operates in 18 Projects namely: Arunank, Beacon, Brahmank, Chetak, Deepak, Dantak, Himank, Hirak, Pushpak, Sampark, Setuk, Sewak, Shivalik, Swastik, Udayak, Vartak, Vijayak and sela tunnel.
BRO is instrumental in significantly upgrading and building new India-China Border Roads.
BRO headquartered in New Delhi.
