Employee Disciplinary Action Form: Fill & Download for Free

In my opinion, the BGC conducted by any organization is a standard process to validate the information that you’ve provided them in the form of your ed. certi, employer details, prof. references, etc. All companies (incl. Novartis), take Integrity very very seriously and any deviation in it leads to disciplinary action (or job offer being revoked/ withdrawn). This process is normally outsourced. For e.g. I recently received a verification call for one of my friend (non-Novartis) whose BGC was underway. It was conducted by KPMG.) You can understand the gravity and importance of BGC. Needless to mention, whatever info you provide, please make sure its is 100% true! Hope this helps!

ON TRADEKILLED TPP$350+ billion deal with Saudi Arabia ($110 billion in arms $250 billion in trade/investment) creating 100,000’s of jobs in both countries, historic.Pulled out of PARIS ACCORDHad a major victory on sugar exports from Mexico, made Mexico drop the exports % and the amount of refined sugar. This will help our sugar industry and the US sugar mills that produce refined sugar from raw sugar.Notified Congress of NAFTA renegotiation on May 18th. Talks can start 90 days later on Aug 16th, 2017Sec Ross has slapped more than $2 billion in fines on China and Canada for illegal trade practices.U.S. Department of Agriculture has reached agreement with Chinese officials on final details of a protocol to allow the U.S. to begin the beef exports to China (6/12/17). The first beef has been imported to China (06/30/17)Renegotiations of KORUS ( South Korean )trade deal announced on 06/30/17) started per White House week of (07/14/17)The first shipment of LNG to Poland (07/08/17) per Foreign policyPres Trump attended the Three Seas summit in Central Europe to begin the opening up of energy and other economic trade between central/east Europe and the USA (07/6/17) per TimeThe United States Trade Representative released its objectives for upcoming NAFTA negotiations (07/18/17)Canceled the Cuba Trade deal done by Obama (06/16/17)Enforcement of U.S. trade law is a prime focus of the Trump administration. From January 20, 2017, through July 21, 2017, Commerce has initiated 54 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations – a 40 percent increase from the previous year. (07/21/17) per Sec Ross of Commerce.The Commerce Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of steel concrete reinforcing bar from Taiwan in an effort to stop dumping (07/21/17)Since the Presidential Summit at Mar-lar-go, the first 100 days USA made progress on important trade issues including credit ratings, bond clearing, electronic payments, commercial banking, and liquefied natural gas. Also, this is the first time since 2003 that the Chinese have allowed for imports of American beef, (07/19/17) per Commerce and Treasury Dept.On EconomyUnemployment rate 4.4% u-3 and 8.6% U6 (for June 07/07/17)222,000 Jobs created in June per BLS (07/7/17)Stock Market at Historic Highs (Dow up 18%, NASDAQ up 21.5%, S&P 500 up 14.9% since election day as of 07/18/17)US homes prices climb at fastest pace In 3 years at an avg of 7% year over year rate per CNBC (06/06/17)Jobless claims hit 28 year low in last week of April per Labor Department.Thurs July 13th claims report also showed the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid decreased 20,000 to 1.95 million in the week ended July 1. The continuing claims have now been below 2 million for 13 straight weeks, pointing to a strong labor market. (07/13/17) per CNBCOPEC broken can no longer set prices due to USA energy production unleashed per CNN money (05/18/17)Secured $50 billion investment from Japan Japanese telecom and internet conglomerate SoftBank (12/06/16) per WAPOSecured $20 billion investment from Exxon in US Gulf coast refinery (03/07/17) per CNBCGasoline at $1.95/gallon in Central NC lowest price in 12 years. (7/23/17)Gas Prices Drop to 12-Year Low for July 2017 per AAARepealed 14 Obama regulations via CRA saving $60 billion in costs to the economy yearly per American Action Forum (04/20/17)GDP early estimate for 2nd quarter is 2.6% per commerce department. 1.2% higher than 2nd Qrt growth in 2016Federal debt is 132,273,000 billion LOWER since Dec 30th 2016 (as of 06/30/17) per TreasuryDirect - HomeFederal surplus was $182 billion at end of Apr (unexpected) per US TreasuaryConsumer confidence increased to a near 16 year high in June per CNBC (06/27/17)Small business confidence remains at highest levels in more than a decade per CNBC (07/11/17)North Dakota experiencing a boom since Dakota access pipeline finished (500,000 Barrels now flowing through pipeline per day) per AP (05/13/17)Keystone pipeline approved by State Department (03/24/17) construction ongoing…1,079,000 JOBS created since Jan1st (per BLS) 1,395,000 per ADP (07/07/17)Directed Dep’t of Commerce to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturingLaunched United States-Canada Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders with Canadian PM Justin TrudeauCut 1.6 billion costs from Air Force one and F-35 airplanes.Regulatory freeze on all federal governmental agencies via EO signed (1/30/17)Making agencies cut 2 regulations for each new one. OMB reporting that as of June 2017 the real ratio is closer to 16 to 1 per Washington Examiner (07/19/17)Saw the opening of the first NEW COAL MINE IN PA in YEARS creating 70 jobs at the mine and more than 400+ supporting jobs in the community. (06/10/17) Per foxnews.Coal prices for Central Appalachian coal has increased 8.95% this year. Increasing the economy for SE OH, SW PA, VA, MD and WVAMaine unemployment at 32 year low. The State dept of unemployment forced to layoff people because of lack of claims (06/14/17) per BangordailynewsFood Stamp spending is down almost $1 billion per month and $12 billion per year per USADBlack unemployment at a 17 year low in May at 7.5% per Bureau of Labor Statistics. (06/24/17)Coal mining rose 19% in USA for first 5 months per US energy Department1st qrt GDP revised up to 1.4%USA now pumping 500k more barrels of oil per day since Dec 31st. Now at 9.3 million bpd. 3rd in the world only 1.2 million bdp behind Russia and Saudi Arabia per energy departmentUSA is the world leader in natural gas production and continues to increase productionInstitute for Supply Management says its manufacturing index rose to 57.8 last month(June) from 54.9 in May. Anything above 50 signals that factory activity is increasing (07/03/17)15 of 18 manufacturing industries posted growth in JUNE per ISM (07/03/17)The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics for fiscal year (FY) 2017 show that food stamp enrollment decreased nationwide by 2.9 percent over the past year (07/05/17)Oil exports FROM the USA are running at 1.3million BPD worth more than $1.5 billion per month to the economy. Per NYT (07/5/17)Crude exports from Corpus Christi have already increased from an average of 68,000 barrels a day during the first half of 2016 to 384,000 barrels a day this April NYT (07/05/17)India-based information technology outsourcing company Infosys plans to hire 2,000 workers within for years in North Carolina and 10,000 total in USA. Infosys emphasized Thursday that the jobs created as part of its U.S. expansion would go to American workers. Per Charlotte Observer (07/06/17)Trade deficit fell 2.2 % in the month of May on higher exports and less imports. China imports dropped 6.1% and Mexico imports increased 5.8% Trade deficit for the year is still growing by about 13.1% yoy per Breitbart even with the drop in May’s numbers. It will take a while to turn the ship but the ship is turning (07/06/17)Labor participation rate 62.8% (07/07/17)In June, mining employment grew by 8,000, with most of the growth in support activities for mining (+7,000). Since a recent employment low in October 2016, mining has added 56,000 jobs. (07/07/17) per BLSFICO scores for Americans has hit and ALL time high per CNBC (07/11/17)Expedited the permitting and approval processes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and exports, including the approval of the Lake Charles LNG terminal in Louisiana.guidance from the Treasury Department to allow the United States to export coal.(first 6 months)Expedited new pipeline approval and production such as the New Burgos Pipeline to Mexico. (First 6 months)Updated guidance from the Treasury Department to allow the United States to export coal.Signed the Buy American, Hire American EO on (04/18/17)President Trump signed an Executive Order, making it easier for businesses to start and expand apprenticeship programs (06/15/17)FOXCONN making of LCD screens announced at White House they are investing $10 billion into new plant in WI bringing up to 13,000 high paying jobs to WI. (07/26/17)Coal EXPORTS increased by 60.3% for 2017 per US EIA data (07/28/17)US inflation at a 8 month low at 1.6% per BLS due in part to Pres Trump’s energy policy keeping gas prices low. (07/17/17)Pres Trump promoted a policy to leverage $200 billion in his budget proposal into a $1 trillion of projects to privatize the air traffic control system, strengthen rural infrastructure and repair bridges, roads and waterways. (06/07/17) per ReutersOn ImmigrationAuthorized DHS to hire 10,000 ICE officers & 5,000 border patrol agentsSecured funding for more immigration judges for deportation cases in 2017 budgetEnded "catch and release” policyICE arrests up 40% as of MayICE arrests are 75% criminal illegals as of MayIce Arrests for non criminal illegals up 150% as of May due to sanctuary cities polices making Ice go to the home instead of the court houses70%+ decrease in border crossings of illegal aliens in first 6 months per head of ICE (07/18/17)No Cuban refugees seen by Coast Guard in Apr 2017 first time in 7 yearsOpen bidding and plans submitted for the WALL. Finalists selected prototypes to be unveiled this fall per CBP official/Breitbart news. Process being held up by lawsuits on bidding process per ABC news (07/27/17)6ft chain linked fences being replaced by 20ft hardened steel fencing at border (05/04/17) per White houseMore than 3311 gang members have been arrested by ICE as of 07/25/17) per White house briefing by ICE directorThis year the U.S. has already deported 398 MS-13 gang members back to El Salvador – compared to only 534 for all of 2016 per Breitbart news (05/28/17)Texas has passed a law outlawing sanctuary cities (05/08/17)Foods stamp requests by ILLEGALS D O W N per Breitbart (05/19/17)The Trump administration has moved to reopen the cases of hundreds of illegal immigrants who had been given a reprieve from deportation by Obama (06/09/17) per ReutersPer Sec Kelly Plans are to start building the WALL by end of summer.Travel ban EO cut refugees to 50,000 limit has been reached as of 07/12/17). USA now closed to refugee without a close connection to the USAper Breitbart Sec Kelly has refused to expand H2-B visa program in FY 2017. Update 06/22/17 Sec Kelly will expand the H2-b visa program for a limited number of businesses that are in danger of failing and can’t find employment (15,000 visa) per breitbart.Pres Trump and Sec of DHS ended DAPA (06/16/17)Refugees dropped by half entering the USA in first three months of Pres Trump’s admin over Obama’s admin. (6/24/17 per Washington Times)In fiscal year 2017 so far, ICE has removed over 3311 criminal gang members, compared to 2,057 criminal gang members in all of fiscal year 2016. (07/27/17) per WhitehousePer Sec Kelly 66,000 mostly criminal illegals arrested by ICE in first 5 monthsKate’s Law passed the House (06/29/17)No Sanctuary Cities Law Passed the House (06/29/17)Illegal immigrant arrests in San Diego, Ca have more than doubled from 2016 and 2015 figures per the San Diego Union Tribune (07/04/17)In a reversal of Obama administration policy, federal prosecutors with Operation Streamline are filing criminal charges against migrants the first time they are caught crossing the border illegally. Per tucson.com | Tucson.com - Arizona Daily Star - No. 1 Tucson website for news, sports, cars, homes, jobs and breitbart (07/05/17)Refugee Arrivals Plummet in Week After Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Executive Order per Breitbart and Department of State website (07/05/17)The International Entrepreneur Rule obama era loophole was closed by DHS on (07/11/17). The rule allowed illegals to stay in the country for 2 and half years if they were “starting a business” per breitbart.ICE crackdown in Pueblo scaring some families back to Mexico per the Pueblo chieftain (07/10/17)House subcommittee includes $1.6 billion in funds for Wall in approbations bill (07/12/17) goes to full house for vote. Passed Full House (07/25/17)DHS proposes rule change to increase length (from 2 weeks to 90 days) and Distance (from 100 miles from the border to entire USA) for people to be immediately deported freeing up courts and stopping the lawfare over immigration. (07/15/17 ) per dailymailThomas D. Homan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in an interview that since Trump entered office, illegal border crossings have crashed by almost 70 percent, "an historic low," arrests inside the country have jumped 40 percent and that demands for illegal criminals in local jails has skyrocketed 80 percent. (07/18/17) per Washington ExaminerAG Sessions said one goal of DOJ is to totally end illegal immigration (07/18/17) per BreitbartThe Trump Administration is providing funding for the Texas National Guard’s efforts to assist in securing the state’s border with Mexico per Breitbart (07/18/17)Acting ICE Director Thomas D. Homan said he is going to deploy more officers and agents to “sanctuary cities” to arrest illegal criminal (07/18/17) per Washington examinerPresident Trump ordered the creation of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office at DHS, ensuring that our Government can no longer ignore the victims of criminal acts by illegal aliens. (04/26/17)Trump administration has changed the focus of a Department of Homeland Security immigrant citizenship training program managed by USCIS to “assimilation,” a significant shift from the Obama era focus on “integration.” Per Breitbart (07/28/17)AG Sessions announced new policy on Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grants which provide $100’s of millions. The new policy refuses to give them to sanctuary cities. (07/25/17)ON LAW and ORDERAuthorities have arrested an unprecedented number of sexual predators involved in child sex trafficking rings in the United States and around the worldDOJ issues new sentencing guideline to enforce tougher laws on drug dealers (05/12/17) per DOJDOJ stops Obama’s slush funds (06/08/17) per Washington ExaminerMassive raids on gangs going on across the nationMore arrests for voter fraud in 2017 then anytime in recent history.DOJ and DHS ordered to take on transnational criminal gangs (02/07/17) per POTUS EONo tolerance for violence against LEO with a signed EO (02/07/17)Fired FBI director who is and was a nutjob.Nominated Wray for FBI director, confirmation hearing 07/12/17. Confirmed by committee, waiting for full senate confirmation (07/20/17)Nominated 21 conservative judges to the federal courtAG Sessions dismantling the Obama legal doctrine brick by brick at the DOJ per Bloomberg (06/29/17)Operation Broken Heart lead by the DOJ arrested over 1,012 sexual child predators across the nation bringing 69,000 cases against them. (06/28/17)AG Sessions has asked for an extra $26 million to hire 300 prosecutors devoted to gang violence and deportation cases per Bloomberg (06/29/17)DOJ drops case against the Washington Redskins (06/30/17) the era of Political correctness is over.AG Sessions continues to back LEO by condemned murder of NYPD on (07/05/17) calling the attack cowardly.April 13, 2017-Under President Trump, The Justice Department prosecuted two doctors and one other for practicing female genital mutilation– the first such prosecutions under a federal law passed by Congress in 1996 prohibiting the practice.June 30, 2017—The Trump Administration sent 20 ATF agents to Chicago to help the city fight gun violence.AG Sessions and Deputy AG visit GITMO to see operations and conditions in effort to frame future Trump policy on Gitmo. (07/07/17)AG Sessions and Sec Price announce the biggest ever Healthcare Fraud operation. Arresting 412 people including Doctors who have committed more than 1.3 Billion in medical fraud including opiod fraud. (07/13/17)AG Sessions/FBI took down largest dark web site Alphabay (07/20/17)Pres Trump took to twitter to push AG Sessions to drain the swamp in the DOJ/FBI week of (07/24/17)AG Sessions issued new policy on civil asset forfeiture (07/19/17) per DOJON Congressional and Executive actionConfirmed Gorsuch to SCOTUS (04/07/17)Signed 39+ Laws so farSigned more than 30+ EOPres Trump signed EO directing his interior secretary to review the designation of dozens of national monuments on federal lands, calling the protection efforts "a massive federal land grab" by previous administrations. (04/25/17)Obamacare repeal and replace passed House stuck/ Failed in Senate (07/28/17)Pres Trump admin is reviewing all regulations. At the end of June 2017 his admin have done away with 860 regulations so far saving $billions to the economy per OMB and Brietbart (07/21/17)Tax cuts and reform moving through Congress waiting on obamacare repeal. On 07/26/17 the border adjustment tax (BAT) was dropped by the House freeing up movement on tax reform.Submitted 2018 Budget that cuts spending and gives a pathway to a balanced budget in 10 years. (05/23/17)Returned power to make decisions on “transgender bathrooms” to states (02/27/17)Instituted 5-year lobbying ban for all Executive branch appointees (01/28/17)Instituted permanent lobbying ban for foreign governments for all Executive branch appointees (01/28/17)Banned aid helping foreign countries provide abortions (Mexico City Policy) (01/23/17)Formed Commission on voter fraud led by VP Pence had first meeting on 07/19/17)Returned the mission of NASA to space exploration (03/21/17)Installing aspects of extreme vetting at points of entry to the USA per State department and DHSSigned Two bills into Law on June 2nd that makes it easier for family members of slain LEO to get benefits and that helps hire Veterans as LEOSec of VA is starting process to combine the DOD and VA medical records to improve Veteran’s health. Massive shift in government policy (06/05/17)Pushing a massive overhaul of our FAA Air Traffic control (06/05/17)House votes to roll back Dodd Frank goes to the Senate (06/08/17)Senate votes for VA accountability act. Goes to House passed house 06/13/17 major victory for Trump agenda signed into law on 06/23/17Rolled out an apprentice program to train skilled works to fill 6 million open positions. (06/10/17)The U.S. Treasury Department unveiled a sweeping plan on to upend the country's financial regulatory framework, 80% of which will be done from the executive side and does not need Congress. MAGA!!!!! (06/13/17)Signed EO to reshape the education system of the USA to include votech and apprenticeships (06/13/17)Did away with rules requiring the Federal government to report on the Y2K bug 17 years after 2000.President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating an accountability and whistleblower protection office at the Department of Veterans Affairs.(04/ 27/2017)Sec Zinke moves to purge the Interior department of Obama holdovers (6/16/17 per Washington post)Energy Department eliminating the Office of International Climate and Technology22 federal agency task force formed to help the rural America fight regulations and lack of prosperity led by Sec PerdueEnvironmental Protection Agency has ended a nearly $1 million program that provided gym memberships for employees5-0 in special elections (GA6 primary, KS, MT, GA6 final election, SC)Sec Kelly dropped many “Pro-Obama Islamic groups from funding” Groups that pushed for sharia law and closed muslim communities within the USA. (06/23/17 per breitbart)TRAVEL BAN upheld by SCOTUS by 9-0 ruling. Extreme vetting will now become law of the land. (06/26/17)ScottPruitt signed #WOTUS proposed rule, supporting @POTUS order to restore the rule of law.Travel BAN now in full effect across the world. (06/29/17)Signed agreement to construct oil pipeline into Mexico per Pres trump speechOpening up LNG centers to ship LNG across the world (06/29/17)Introduced 6 point plan to unleash American energy (off shore, Nuclear, coal, NG,Oil, renewable) (06/29/17)President Trump Signs EO Reviving the National Space Council (06/30/17)Pentagon halts Obama’s transgender plan (07/01/17 per Breitbart)Sec Devos has stopped two obama regulations from going into effect which would have harmed for profit colleges. The Gainful Employment rule and the Borrower Defense rule (06/30/17)On May 4th, 2017 Pres Trump signed the Religious Freedom EO ordering his admin among other things to not enforce the Johnson amendment.Reduced White House expenses by $22 million by reducing staffing levels from Obama levels. Doing more with lessPres Donald Trump’s first-quarter salary donation will help fund the restoration of two projects at Antietam National Battlefield, Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced Wednesday per Breitbart (07/05/117)Returned the Winston Churchill bust back to the Oval Office and Kept the Martin Luther King Jr bust proving we can respect and honor both men. Something Obama was unable or unwilling to do.Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke ordered the agency to resolve a backlog of more than 2,000 oil and natural gas permit applications for drilling on public lands per Washington Examiner (07/06/17)The Department of Veterans Affairs announced (07/07/17) 747 disciplinary actions including 526 employees who were fired since January 20th 2017 per CBS news (07/07/17) suspended 200, demoted 33 (22 of which were senior management) and per White house (07/20/17)Sec Carson of HUD announced a $500+ billion “error” in the Obama HUD’s 2015 and 2016 budgets was found by an Audit completed by the Office of Inspector General (04/08/17) per CBNHe had ordered that he gets 2 scoops of Ice Cream per CNN so might be fake news:)Working hard to get the Olympics for the United States (L.A.) (07/10/17) per POTUS twitterHouse cuts State Department funding by 17% in approbations bill (07/12/17) goes to full House for voteThe Department of Veterans Affairs has acted to increase transparency and accountability by launching an online “Access and Quality Tool” to provide veterans a way to access wait time and quality of care data. (07/20/17) per White HousePresident Trump signed legislation allowing our veterans to receive care outside of the Veterans Affairs medical system.President Trump created the Office of American Innovation to streamline and improve the Government for future generations. (03/27/17)Starting later this year, all honorably discharged veterans, no matter their branch of service, will be eligible to shop tax-free online at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service with the same discounts they enjoyed on base while in the military per AP news service (07/21/17)Pres Trump commissioned the U.S.S Ford into service, 100,000 tons of America Might. (07/22/17)Pres Trump reversed Obama policy on Trans genders serving in the military via twitter (07/26/17)House abandons border adjust tax idea in major win for Pres Trump’s tax reform push (07/27/17) major defeat for RyanPres Trump threatens to end subsidies/bailout payments to insurance companies and congressional staff if repeal and replace of Obamacare is not passed via twitters breathing new life into the repeal effort (07/29/17)In first 6 months Pres Trump has signed more than 150 EO, memoranda and proclamations per White House .gov site (07/29/17)On PoliticsPresident Trump's job approval rating in the American counties that fueled his 2016 victory stands at 50 percent, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll of these "Trump counties. (07/16/17) per NBCPPD poll from OH has Pres Trump at 54% approval to 41% disapproval (07/15/17) per PPD pollRNC continues to have record high monthly funding contributions while the DNC continues to have record low contributions (07/20/17) per all news sourcesAmericans have never felt better, 74% very happy per rasmussenreports (07/20/17)Number of registered lobbyists plunges 14% in 2017 per Breitbart (07/25/17) showing efforts at draining the swamp are getting some results.Rep Steve Scalise was released from the hospital (07/26/17) prayers answered.Pres Trump revived the tradition that Obama stopped of POTUS speaking at Boy Scouts jamboree. He spoke to 45,000 Boy Scouts (07/25/17) .Russia hoax suffered big defeat this week. Fake media not even reporting on it anymore (07/29/17)On Foreign PolicySecured a 34,000 Arab force to fight ISIS in Iraq and SyriaSent 3 carrier battle groups to NK to pressure them on nuclear program, installed THADD in SK and JapanWorking with China on NK but results are not going well as of (07/29/17).Sent Navy to South China Sea to secure sea linesFired 60 Tomahawks after a gas attack in SyriaGot the G7 countries to agree that a nation has a right to control migration and immigrationHad G7 countries agree NK was a threatHad G7 nations agree that Trade should be FAIR as well as FREE and that nations can punish non fair tradeHad NATO agree to pay more and got more countries to pay their fair share of defense pact (increasing by $10 billion contributions)Have met with more than 100 of the world leaders many at the white housePulled out of Paris Accord and freed the USA from the economic Slavery Obama sold us intoHave surrounded ISIS in Iraq and Syria strongholdsHave killed the ISIS commander in Afghanistan and reduced their strength by 2/3rd in AfghanistanDropped the MOAB on ISIS killing more than 90 ISIS fightersFirst sitting POTUS to pray at the Western WallRestarted peace process between Israel and PLOVisited the lands of the three major religions in the worldOpening of center to defeat radical Islam in cyberspace during Saudi Arabia visit. One orb to find them and in the darkness and bind them.Gave powerful speech in the heart of Islam about the need to reform Islam and drive out the radicalsHad G7 countries agree that refugees should stay as close as possible to home country and be returned when the threat is goneGot the Arab nations to cut ties to Qatar for funding terrorists, massive historic shift in diplomatic actions in the Muslim world.Started the assault on Raqqa in Syria to defeat ISIS on June 6th 2017.Got Romania to up it’s NATO funding to 2.1% of GDPHas the Special Forces helping relieve siege in Philippines.Visited Poland, gave a historic speech in Warsaw and attended the Three Seas summit (07/05/16)Pres Trump’s State department secured the release of American citizen Otto Warmbeir from NK without paying $400 million ransomPres Trump admin secured the release of American citizen, Aya Hijazifor, from Egypt Jail without paying $400 million ransom.Obama appointed Ambassador to Qatar “quit” during the biggest Crisis in Qatar’s history. What was she hiding?Gave Sec Mattis authority to set troop numbers in Afghanistan to turn the tide of the war. 06/16/17 .Rolled back Obama’s Cuban policy. 06/16/17Canada promised to increase defense spending by 70% (06/16/17)Gulf Countries sent Qatar a list of demands to defund terrorism, reject the Muslim brother hood so Qatar can return to the fold, direct consequence of Pres Trump’s trip to the Middle East. Qatar has since rejected these demands setting a possible military conflict (updated 06/30/17). Sec Tillerson is working hard to solve crisis diplomatically (07/11/17)NATO countries (excluding the US) increase defense spending by 4.3% from last year per daily mail and breitbart(06/30/17).Per Iraq military Mosul has fallen. ISIS no longer controls the city. Just a couple pockets of resistance left per independent (06/30/17) PM of IRAQ declares the complete pacification of the city (7/09/17)Imposed Sanctions on major China Bank for its funding of North Korea and has declared the admin will work to cut North Korea off from access to the US financial market. (06/29/17)Approved a $1.42billion arms deal with Taiwan (07/02/17)Reached out by Twitter to offer help to save baby Charlie Gard and has started the conversation on Baby Charlie’s fate. (07/03/17). UK refused to allow Baby Charlie to leave and he died on (07/28/17)The US ambassador to the UN threatens China and other countries that trade with North Korea with blockage from the USA market. (07/05/17)Pres Trump also increases the threat to use trade access to the US market to stop North Korea setting up a potential for a trade war with China and other nations (07/05/17)Gave a major speech in Warsaw Poland to a crowd of thousands reaffirming Western Civilization (07/6/17)Pres Trump has had 50% more meetings with foreign leaders than Pres Obama did during the same time period. Per Breitbart (07/06/17)US, Russia, and Jordan announce ceasefire in Southern Syria (07/07/17) Cease Fire still holding as of (07/29/17)OLD City walls in Raqqa were breached by US led forces on July 4th 2017. Less than a month after the battle for Raqqa began. Per Economist (07/07/17)Pres Trump got three major victories in G20. Trade he had the G20 agree that nations can protect themselves from unfair trade. He got them to agree a nation has control over their borders and can control immigration and migration. He stood firm on the climate hoax known as the Paris accords and included the importance of fossil fuels. Per the G20 communiqué (07/08/17)U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday promised $639 million in aid to feed people left starving because of drought and conflict in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen. (07/08/17) per ReutersSec of State signed a counter terrorism funding agreement with QATAR giving Pres Trump and the Gulf allies major victory and moving along the impasse in the region to a hopeful peaceful solution (07/11/17) per state. GovVisited France to hold bilateral meetings and take part in Bastille day marking the 100th anniversary of the USA entering WW1 (07/13/17)President Donald Trump has sent out another clear message on the worsening political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, promising “strong and swift economic actions” should socialist leader Nicolás Maduro push ahead with plans to create a non-elected “constituent assembly.” (07/18/17) per BreitbartPresident Trump has lifted restrictions that had prevented the Secretary of Defense and our commanders in the field from fully using their judgement and expertise. (07/20/17)The United States sanctioned sixteen entities and individuals that have supported Iran’s military and Revolutionary Guard Corps in the development of drones, fast attack boats, and other military equipment.(07/20/17) per WhitehouseThe Department of the Treasury sanctioned over 25 entities and individuals involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program, ensuring our ability to monitor potentially malicious actors while preventing future acts of terrorism. (07/20/17)The US has refused to pay $350m in military aid to Pakistan because it is not tackling terrorism, the Pentagon has announced (07/21/17) per FTimesState Department official in charge of diplomatic security bureau resigned. He was in charge during Benghazi (07/26/17) per WAPO . This continues the exodus of Obama/Clinton holdovers at State. Sec Tillerson has down a major effort to reform the Dept of State over the last several months, including firing the entire “7th floor of State” containing the entire senior Clinton/obama admin team on (1/26/17)

This article has only academic value. The author does not intend to cast aspersions on any government functionary or any government/public sector institution but merely intends to share his knowledge with younger generations who aspire to establish a new order founded on ethics. The author believes that right knowledge or truth is key to any educational program. He also believes that students aspiring to join All India services or services of Public Sector should have a glimpse of what is happening in the corridors of political power where awards of multi-million dollar Central Government or Central Public Sector contracts are decided through unethical or corrupt means owing to the ineffectiveness of anti-corruption agencies and laws so that these students after joining these elite government/public sector services may become change agents. Those who aspire to join the Private Sector companies must emulate the good systems and procedures prevalent in the Government/Public Sector organizations and introduce the same in the Private Sector with adequate modifications suiting to the environment of the Private Sector for bringing about corporate governance.On the corruption in India, Wikileaks in its latest disclosure which was published in The Hindu dated 11th April, 2013 quoted an American cable sent to their State Department in Washington during 1976 as follows:“An Indian manufacturer paid a substantial bribe to the minister of civil aviation for a particular contract.” However, “the project became a source of controversy for reasons which had nothing to do with the bribe. The minister sought to return the bribe but the donor insisted on interest.” Finally, “a compromise was reached whereby an additional contract was awarded [to] the manufacturer.”The above instance of 1976 is only a tip of the iceberg hidden in the government sector and the trend of corruption has since become worse and continues to touch an alarming level in the recent past.In the Public Sector Undertakings /Nationalized Banks and autonomous bodies of Government of India and in the Central Government Ministries/Departments, Vigilance Departments headed by Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) are functioning since 1964 based on a resolution passed by the Govt. of India after accepting the report of the Santhanam Committee on corruption. The functions of these Vigilance Departments are monitored by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) who has since become a statutory body under the CVC Act, 2003.In every state government, a Vigilance Department at the Secretariat level, an anti-corruption wing with police powers and in some states, ombudsman like Vigilance Commissioner or Lok Ayukta headed by a retired High Court or a retired Supreme Court judge function as anti-corruption agencies. Since the author does not have much exposure to the functioning of these state anti-corruption agencies, he confines himself only to the functioning of Central anti-corruption agencies.Appointment and tenure of CVOsA Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) is considered as Special Assistant to the C&MD of the organization and has to report to the latter only. They mostly belong to All India Services like IAS, IPS, IRS, etc. and join the organizations for deputation tenure of 3 years to be extended by 2 more years. Mostly, All India Service Officers like IAS, IPS, etc. find berths in Central PSUs of Schedule A and B, based in Delhi for deputation, just to get postings in Delhi or to have leisure in the environment of Public Sector Undertakings where there are fewer responsibilities. Some honest IAS and IPS officers choose to join the post of CVO in Central PSUs as they find it difficult to dance to the tune of their political bosses in state administration. Many of these officers just spend their time in PSUs without any aptitude for vigilance work.According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, a panel of officers cleared by the Central Vigilance Commission will be suggested to the administrative Ministry/Department concerned with the approval of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training. The administrative Ministry is required to select an officer out of the panel with the approval of its Minister-in-charge and communicate the same to the Department of Personnel and Training for obtaining the approval of the Competent Authority. Once a Chief Vigilance Officer has worked in a particular Organization, he should not be posted as CVO in the same Organization. This aims at ensuring that an officer appointed as CVO in an Organization is able to inspire confidence that in deciding vigilance cases, he will not be hampered by anyp ast association with the organization. An officer who is appointed from outside as CVO in Central Public Undertaking shall not be permanently absorbed in the same organization on expiry or in continuation of his tenure as CVO in that organization. The Chief Vigilance Officers are extended hands of the CVC. The Chief Vigilance Officers are considerably higher level officers who are appointed in each and every Department/Organization to assist the Head of the Department/Organization in all vigilance matters.CVOs are mandated to screen all complaints of graft and criminal conspiracy before referring them to the CBI, to monitor on corruption, malpractices and misconduct on the part of employees and to take remedial action. Besides, they are tasked to closely monitor cases related to criminal misconduct of employees being investigated by CBI and to coordinate with the latter for expeditious disposal of such cases.The duties and functions of CVOs as laid down by CVC are given below:The role and functions of CVOs has been broadly divided in to two parts, which are (I) Preventive and (II) Punitive.On the preventive side:The CVOs undertake various measures, which include:(a) To examine in detail the existing Rules and procedures of the Organization with a view to eliminating or minimizing the scope for corruption or malpractices;(b) To identify the sensitive/corruption prone spots in the Organization and keep an eye on personnel posted in such areas;(c) To plan and enforce surprise inspections and regular inspections to detect the system failures and existence of corruption or malpractices;(d) To maintain proper surveillance on officers of doubtful integrity; and(e) To ensure prompt observance of Conduct Rules relating to integrity of the Officers, like(I) the Annual Property Returns;(ii) Gifts accepted by the officials(iii) Benami transactions(iv) Regarding relatives employed in private firms or doing private business etc.On the punitive side:(I) To ensure speedy processing of vigilance cases at all stages. In regard to cases requiring consultation with the Central Vigilance Commission, a decision as to whether the case had a vigilance angle shall in every case be taken by the CVO who, when in doubt, may refer the matter to his administrative head, i.e. Secretary in the case of Ministries/Departments and Chief Executive in the case of public sector organizations;(ii) To ensure that charge-sheet, statement of imputations, lists of witness and documents etc. are carefully prepared and copies of all the documents relied upon and the statements of witnesses cited on behalf of the disciplinary authority are supplied wherever possible to the accused officer along with the charge-sheet;(iii) To ensure that all documents required to be forwarded to the Inquiring Officer are carefully sorted out and sent promptly;(iv) To ensure that there is no delay in the appointment of the Inquiring Officer, and that no dilatory tactics are adopted by the accused officer or the Presenting Officer;(v) To ensure that the processing of the Inquiry Officer's Reports for final orders of the Disciplinary Authority is done properly and quickly;(vi) To scrutinize final orders passed by the Disciplinary Authorities subordinate to the Ministry/Department, with a view to see whether a case for review is made out or not;(vii) To see that proper assistance is given to the C.B.I. in the investigation of cases entrusted to them or started by them on their own source of information;(viii) To take proper and adequate action with regard to writ petitions filed by accused officers;(ix) To ensure that the Central Vigilance Commission is consulted at all stages where it is to be consulted and that as far as possible, the time limits prescribed in the Vigilance Manual for various stages are adhered to;(x) To ensure prompt submission of returns to the Commission;(xi) To review from time to time the existing arrangements for vigilance work in the Ministry/Department for vigilance work subordinate officers to see if they are adequate to ensure expeditious and effective disposal of vigilance work;(xii) To ensure that the competent disciplinary authorities do not adopt a dilatory or lax attitude in processing vigilance cases, thus knowingly otherwise helping the subject public servants, particularly in cases of officers due to retire;(xiii) To ensure that cases against the public servants on the verge of retirement do not lapse due to time-limit for reasons such as misplacement of files etc. and that the orders passed in the cases of retiring officers are implemented in time; and(xiv) To ensure that the period from the date of serving a charge-sheet in a disciplinary case to the submission of the report of the Inquiry Officer, does, ordinarily, not exceed six months.Functioning of CVOs and Vigilance Officers (VOs)Though CVOs are required to function independently, practically speaking, they are not doing so. Since the CVO has to report to the C&MD, the former has, at times, to toe the line of the latter. It is very difficult for him to maintain a balance between his reporting to the C&MD and his reporting to the CVC in the event of disagreement by the CVO with the C&MD. In technical organizations, many CVOs from IPS or other police services, without technical background, find it rather difficult to understand the nature of corruption cases involving technicalities when there is a blurring line of demarcation between cases of corruption and bribery and cases of irregularities where procedures are bypassed for commissioning of projects on time. They find it difficult to judge cases wherein malafides are not shown by suspect officers.No doubt, CVOs in many Central PSUs have done tremendous work, bringing about transparency in their organizations and introducing preventive measures for curbing corruption by plugging loopholes in systems and procedures. However, on the whole, there are many negative factors which need to be addressed urgently.At times, Vigilance Officers working under CVOs are not ethical in their investigations. Once they take up cases for investigation, they are reluctant to close the same when materials surface to show that the actions of suspect officers are not malafide.Vigilance Officers consider themselves to be more intelligent than the highly qualified technical or engineering staff. Being arrogant, they are not humble in learning from the technical officers when they do not understand the intricacies of technical cases.Many CVOs simply go by the reports of their Vigilance Officers without taking pains to cross verify the investigation reports by taking independent technical opinion with the result that innocent executives get charge-sheeted. Once an executive is charge-sheeted for a major penalty, then his career is doomed and he loses his promotion. By the time, the executive is exonerated of the charges framed against him, he loses his reputation, promotion and social status.Vigilance Clearance“Vigilance Clearance” is the hurdle for getting promotions in Govt. Services during pendency of trial in courts or during pendency of departmental proceedings. This rule is applied even to those employees who apply for passports or for foreign training programs. According to a procedure called “sealed cover procedure”, if a charge-sheeted officer is due for promotion, he would be considered for promotion and the result of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has to be kept in a sealed cover which would be opened after the finalization of the departmental proceedings or after the close of the criminal case in the court of law, as the case may be. If the officer is exonerated, he would be given promotion with retrospective effect after opening the sealed cover. If he is convicted, then the recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee would not be acted upon.Though the sealed cover procedure has to be followed, in many PSUs, this is not followed just to deny promotion to these charge-sheeted executives as the management prefers to promote other executives whose records are clean and who are their favorites. In this regard, the PSU management uses this procedure just to deny promotion to an efficient and hard working officer against whom some charge-sheet is pending but to promote against that particular vacancy some non-performing officer who is close to the top management.C&MD versus CVOThe C&MD of the organization has to spend more of his time in the corridors of the Ministry to please the Minister and the bureaucrats there. He obliges the Minister in awarding contracts to the favorite contractors of the minister. The favorite contractor gets his business from the organization after following the prescribed procedure and becoming the “lowest evaluated bidder”.Wikileaks, the whistleblower website, reveals through one of the cables sent by the American Embassy to their State Department in Washington during 1976 as published by The Hindu dated 11th April 2013, the magnitude of corruption in India prevalent in the system of award of contracts. It says, “The ‘innovative’ Indian method of awarding contracts to the favored bidder is explained in the words of a World Bank official “with extensive experience in India.” He “had never seen a case where an original low bidder ever received a contract” since “repeated tenderings combined with specification changes are instituted by the Government of India until the appropriate bidder becomes low bidder as well.”The Vigilance Department hardly gets into this area at all. If at all this case goes to the CBI, ultimately the officials who have recommended award of contracts would be in the CBI net. Normally, the approving authority i.e. the C&MD or the Board would go scot free on the pretext that they were misguided by the lower level managerial officers. There is no surveillance by the CBI or by the CVO of the Ministry in the corridors of power where the contractors meet the Ministers for getting their work done. When the contractor concerned executes his contract, if the Vigilance pokes its nose, then the contractor informs the C&MD and the C&MD gives his tacit disapproval to the CVO. Some bold CVOs would go ahead and would initiate action against the erring executives concerned. However, the defaulting contractor would agree with the officers/engineers in charge of the work at site for making necessary recoveries from him for the sub-standard work executed by him and would agree to do some rectification work. The contractor would never get blacklisted. In a recent case (March 2013) , the World Bank blacklisted M/s L &T, considered as the most ethical company in the world for a particular period just because one of the L&T officers submitted forged certificates for getting a contract from a public sector undertaking of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.CVO in Ministry versus CBIThere is a CVO in every Ministry, mostly belonging to IAS cadre. He is of the status of Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India. He acts only on complaints against the senior bureaucrats in the Ministry. He and his department possess all the knacks to close the complaints against the Minister or the Secretary when a report is called for by the CVC. He does not suo motu scrutinize the files in the Ministry wherein the Minister or the Secretary has taken questionable decisions. CBI has hardly any role in the corridor of the Ministry until and unless it is directed by the High Court or the Supreme Court to investigate a scam like 2G spectrum, etc. CBI is prompt in trapping an income tax officer accepting bribe but keeps itself at a distance from the corridors of the Ministry. It does not generate “intelligence” to trap a Minister or his conduit accepting bribes from a businessman but gets intelligence report to trap a police officer accepting bribes.Recently (in May 2013), for the first time in the history of CBI, to the best of my knowledge, CBI trapped a close relative of an Union Minister red-handed while accepting bribe for a top government post.CVOs versus CVCCVOs are very particular about sending their monthly statistical returns to CVC, whether their Departments really work or not to the extent desired by CVC. The CVC have no means to conduct an audit of the work done by the CVOs. The CVC have no adequate staff and machinery to monitor the work of the CVOs in about 200 Central Public Sector Undertakings and 27 Public Sector Banks, apart from CVOs in Ministries/Attached and Subordinate offices of Ministries. With its limited resources, the CVC takes cognizance of scams and irregularities reported by the media. There has been no accountability on the CVO of the organization concerned when a scam has broken out as reported by the media.Negative Role of Vigilance and CBI in PSUsIn some cases, innocent officers are falsely implicated by CBI after joining hands with the CVO who acts at the behest of the CMD. These innocent officers are being persecuted in the court of law. By the time these officers are exonerated by the trial courts, they would lose their promotions, peace of mind, social status. They find it very difficult to get their daughters married during the pendency of trial. If any honest officer falls into the CBI net, it would be very difficult for him to get a clearance from the CBI for getting his promotion. The investigation would be a time consuming affair even if the CBI has to close the case after filing a closure report before the CBI Special Court. Normally, the CBI before closing its prosecution case recommends departmental action against the officer concerned on some other ground or the other.Instead of playing the role of an ally of management (the term coined by the CVC during 1980s), the Vigilance Department at times functions as an enemy of the management by questioning the decisions taken by managers on merit. The time has now come in the PSUs that no lower level manager proposes or takes decision as per the powers delegated to him. He simply sends the file to the Regional Head of the organization who in turn refers the matter to the Corporate Headquarters.In an interesting case, an honest officer was charge-sheeted for performing his normal functions for recommending procurement of spare parts from the contractor to whom the contract was awarded. The Vigilance Department attributed a motive to him saying that he could have recommended procurement of these spare parts from other available contractors whose prices were very low. In the charge-sheet, they cited the name of a contractor whose prices were low. According to the contract provisions, the officer was supposed to propose placing of orders on the same contractor only for procurement of spare parts. Further, the name of the contractor mentioned in the charge-sheet was not a full-fledged contractor but was a budding contractor who was being developed as a vendor and this budding contractor was given a small work on economic rates. Nobody in the hierarchy of the organization ever took pains to read the provisions of the contract which were being brought to their notice by the suspect officer. All of them simply appended their signatures on the investigation report of the Vigilance Department to charge the innocent officer known for his integrity for a major penalty involving lack of integrity, on the presumption that the officer had shown favors to the party on whom spare parts were sought to be procured.In another case, on the recommendations of CBI, an honest officer was charged for a major penalty just for failing to report a transaction of buying a car from his colleague. CBI alleged that he took a loan from his colleague and did not report this fact to the management. Absolutely, there was no iota of evidence to prove that the suspect officer took a personal loan from his colleague. This case was foisted on this officer by CBI at the best of the C&MD. This simple case dragged on for three years during which the officer lost his promotion.Agreed List prepared by Vigilance and CBIThere is a provision of preparing a list of officers who are corrupt but against whom there is no prima facie evidence for initiating action. This is called Agreed List. It contains names of officers of Gazetted status in Central Govt. service or officers of Central PSUs/Nationalized Banks, etc. against whose honesty or integrity there are complaints, doubts or suspicious after consultations between the vigilance officers of the Departments/PSUs concerned and of CBI. As per the guidelines issued by the Central Govt. in this regard, closer and more frequent scrutiny and inspection of their work and performance by the Departments concerned, particularly in spheres there is scope for discretion or for showing favors. Quite check about their reputation both by the Vigilance Department and the C.B.I, unobtrusive watch of their contracts style of living etc. by the C.B.I, secret enquiry by the C.B.I. about their assets and financial resources will be undertaken by the CBI. The CBI will have to collect information of specific instances of bribery and corruption practices against these officers of doubtful integrity and to register FIRs against them if there is prima facie evidence against them.In spite of the above guidelines issued by the Central Govt., the CBI has no time or adequate staff to carry out this surveillance work and the internal Vigilance Department also does not keep real surveillance over such officials, relegating to the background such an important function, mostly due to lack of adequate staff. This list just remains on paper for years together if the management or the government wants to keep some corrupt officials on this list for the sake of maintaining this list as a routine exercise. No real exercise is being made sincerely to verify the allegations for which the officials are kept in this “watch” list.The Vigilance Department does it job perfectly if a case of false personal claim is to be investigated. It does not put under its scanner award of contracts worth crores of rupees when it comes to the Board level. The Vigilance Department in a PSU does close its eyes when the bureaucrats or the Ministers of the Ministry misuse the company’s properties but it takes cognizance of such misuse by the company’s executives at construction sites or at project sites. The Chairman of the PSU deputes his company executives for helping “technically” the Ministers and the bureaucrats in their offices. The PSU has become a milking cow for the Ministry.When the Vigilance Department in the Central Ministries and their attached and subordinate offices, are playing a limited role of investigation, the Vigilance Departments in the Central PSUs are very active but are mostly doing the police functions because many of executives are from the CBI or police background. They investigate complaints and do not take steps to prevent corruption and fraud. Employees are scared of visiting the offices of Vigilance Officers because they think if they visit such offices, they would be looked down upon by their colleagues in the same manner people are not hesitant to visit police stations for lodging complaints. No whistle blower employee would like to visit a vigilance officer in his office for giving information. The whistle blower does not trust the vigilance officer for giving information. The term “Vigilance” has created a bad image about vigilance officers working in the PSUs.Appointment of Independent Monitors and its effectivenessAs per the guidelines issued by the CVC for overseeing implementation and effectiveness of the Integrity Pact Programs in Central PSUs, Independent Monitors are being appointed in consultation with Transparency International India, an international NGO which fights corruption globally, and such appointments are finally approved by the CVC. This is a very good wonderful system in the Central PSU for combating corruption through a third party monitoring.The major goal of the Independent Monitor will be to oversee implementation of Integrity Pact Program to prevent corruption, bribes and any other unethical practices in the company. If the Independent Monitor observes or suspects an irregularity, he will inform the C&MD of the company and Chairman of the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Once the Independent Monitor is satisfied that any irregularity has taken place, he may also inform CVC and Transparency International-India. He can also avail himself of the services of private audit or law firms at the cost of the company.The system of independent third party monitoring in Central PSU is the best tool for combating corruption. But there is a genuine doubt whether this system is implemented in its spirit. Everything remains on paper and the CVC is periodically apprised of the work undertaken by the Independent Monitor.In most of the companies, retired bureaucrats who are close to the Chairmen or the Minister or the Secretary of the Ministry are appointed to these positions. Such retired bureaucrats at one point of time might have favored the Chairman of the company who is the sole authority who initiatives this appointment.The Independent Monitor does not have enough staff and expertise to work in a highly commercial and technical organization. He has to completely depend upon the management to provide him the infrastructure. He simply goes by the reports given by the committee of officials who are part of the management.The retired bureaucrat, being the Independent Monitor, who enjoys the confidence of the C&MD cannot be expected to be impartial in his judgment and cannot be having a thorough knowledge of the company’s functioning, especially the procedure of award of contracts and execution of projects. We do not know whether the Independent Monitor has ever engaged services of outside agencies such as accounting firms, law firms, etc at company’s expense to discharge his duties. No public sector management would like to outsource the work of monitoring their work to third party law/audit firms like KPMG, etc.If the Independent Monitor has to be effective in his functioning, he must be, preferably, a retired senior level executive of the Public Sector Undertaking who had served the PSU in the Vigilance Department for a long time. It would be ideal to engage the services of a retired senior level public sector executive who has put in a service of about 15 years in vigilance functions and who is well aware of the systems and procedures of the PSU. The background check of a retired public sector executive can be easily made either with the CBI or with the CVC.The Independent Monitor should be able to function at least on 10 working days in a month with adequate supporting staff from the Vigilance Department/Audit Department.Appointment of the Independent Monitor in the PSU has to be made by independent and competent recruiters through open advertisements. The recruiter concerned has to forward a panel of selected candidates to the Chairman of the PSU for appointment. A person of proven integrity has to be appointed to this position after verification of antecedents.VOs spending precious time on preparing statistical returnsA vigilance officer is supposed to be vigilant over the officials committing frauds. But in many offices, vigilance officers spend more time in preparing statistical reports to be sent to their CVOs/CVC/Nodal Ministry. In the first week of every month, he is busy preparing such reports and has no time to keep vigilance or surveillance over the corrupt officials. One of the vigilance officials working under a senior vigilance functionary was very hard working, having a very good knowledge of what was happening in the organization but he was neither liked by the top management nor was his work recognized in his own department. There are a few vigilance officials who are working hard, round the clock, gathering information. In my opinion, 90% vigilance officials just work in a routine manner without developing sources for getting information or without taking any steps to know what is happening in the organization. They are prompt in taking up investigations when they receive complaints.VOs spending precious time on scrutiny of property returnsAnother time consuming job of a Vigilance Officer is to verify the immovable property returns submitted by executives once in two years. He has to verify such returns of thousands of executives in a routine manner. The purpose of Government introducing submission of immovable property returns which has been made a mandatory requirement in the Conduct Rules is to ascertain whether the executive who submits this return has acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Frankly speaking, no corrupt officer would reflect the properties acquired by him through corrupt means in this return. The Vigilance Officer scrutinizing such returns cannot verify the genuineness of transactions shown in property returns by visiting the places where properties have been acquired by the executive. Further, the Vigilance Officer has no sanction of law for accessing the government records in Registration Departments or Municipal offices. At times, honest executives fail to report some transactions or report such transactions belatedly for which charge-sheets are issued to them on the advice of the Vigilance Department. CVC expects CVOs to ensure 100% scrutiny of these property returns.In an interesting case investigated by CBI, an IPS probationer while submitting his first property return at the time of joining service had shown acquisition of a large amount of gold as marriage gift. This young police officer had decided to turn the bribe amounts to be received by him during the course of his long career into white money in the form of marriage gift. In fact, this provision came in handy for him to accumulate wealth through corrupt means.Lacking powers of investigation under law and procuring attendance of witnesses during quasi judicial departmental inquiriesIn cases involving scrutiny of records in possession of private persons or vendors/contractors, the Vigilance Officer investigating the complaint has to collect evidences for which the law does not allow him to do so. Only police officers working in the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the state government or CBI have the lawful powers to investigate such complaints. Despite this handicap, many Vigilance Officers carry on investigations interacting with private persons and recording their statements. But, ultimately, during subsequent quasi-judicial departmental inquiries, these private persons are reluctant to appear as witnesses against the charge-sheeted executives, probably under the influence of the charged executives. Even if they appear as witnesses before the Inquiry Officers, they retract their earlier statements given to investigating Vigilance Officer during investigation. To procure their attendance during inquiries is the Herculean job of the Vigilance Department.Prosecutor becoming judge in disciplinary proceedingsAnother area of grave concern is regarding the role of Vigilance Department in disciplinary proceedings. If an officer is charge-sheeted for a major penalty, then his career would be doomed for a long period and during this period, he becomes a dead leaf in the tree. He cannot show devotion to duty as he is suspected to be under a cloud. The Vigilance Department conducts investigations and submits its report to the designated Disciplinary Authority concerned. As per the directions of CVC, a cell called Disciplinary Proceedings Cell has been created in every organization. In many organizations, this cell functions under the CVO. The prosecutor is not supposed to sit in the judgment seat because it would violate the principles of natural justice. Though the Vigilance Department has to function in an advisory role for the Disciplinary Authority concerned, the latter goes by the advice of the former because the CVO of the organization is considered “powerful” in the hierarchy of the organization. In some PSUs, this cell functions under the Director (Personnel). Disciplinary Authorities do not apply their minds to the facts mentioned in investigation reports or the recommendations made by the Vigilance Department proposing disciplinary action. Disciplinary Authorities are supposed to examine the reports of Inquiry Officers and to apply their minds. As the Disciplinary Authority concerned does not assert himself, the advice of the CVO becomes final in the ultimate analysis. The Disciplinary Authority simply signs the charge-sheet even if there is no prima facie case against the delinquent employee concerned just because he does not want to rub his shoulders with the powerful CVO in the organization.Training needs to be given to Disciplinary Authorities so that they may be aware of their disciplinary powers. There should be separation of disciplinary functions from vigilance functions.Ethics for Vigilance OfficersEthics programs should be conducted for vigilance officials, apart from completely overhauling the system of recruitments and functions of Vigilance Officers and Chief Vigilance Officer. Vigilance Department in a PSU conducts vigilance awareness workshop/seminar to sensitize the non-vigilance officials. But there is no ethics program tailor made for vigilance officials.Need for CVC to plug loopholes in Vigilance Management/Vigilance AdministrationCVC does not have any proper feedback system except through the statistical reports being submitted by CVOs to evaluate the vigilance work in PSUs. They do not know about the public perception of vigilance work in any PSU. It is time for CVC to introduce a feedback system, preferably, anonymous from employees in a PSU on a random sample basis to know about their perception and problems in matters relating to the functioning of the Vigilance Department.To induct professionalism into Vigilance Management in PSUs, Vigilance Officers of one PSU should be deputed to another organization for a period of 5 years. There are instructions from CVC that 30% of vacancies in the Vigilance Department should be on deputation basis. But such instructions remain on paper only.The present system of bringing officers of All India Services to the PSUs should be reviewed and dispensed with in due course. Of course, the system of appointment of senior vigilance executives on deputation to other PSUs as CVOs may be ideal. This system is perhaps applied by the Ministry of Personnel only to those Central PSUs located in places other than Delhi and that too in PSUs classified as Schedule C or D. If no IAS or IPS officer is willing to join such a public sector undertaking located in a remote place, then the same is filled up with some senior vigilance functionary from another PSU.Young MBA/Law/CA graduates should be inducted and adequately trained by CBI and other professional forensic training institutes at international level.Need for strengthening existing institutions of CBI and CVCIt sounds a death knell to Vigilance Management in Central PSUs and the Central Govt. Departments. The Government of India has to take drastic measures to regulate the functions of the Vigilance Departments through the CVC.There is a need for revamping the vigilance machinery in the PSUs and the Ministries and for overhauling the functions of the Anti-Corruption Wing of CBI. There is absolutely no need for creation of a new anti-corruption institution like Lok Pal when the existing anti-corruption agency i.e. CBI has adequate powers to investigate the Ministers and top bureaucrats. In the 2G spectrum case, they have done their job.The CVC can be given the jurisdiction that the Govt. of India proposes to give to the Lok Pal, to inquire into the allegations against the Ministers and the senior bureaucrats. The CVC can have its own investigation cell and prosecution wing which the proposed Lok Pal Bill wants to give to the new institution of Lok Pal. The CVC has been known for its integrity since its inception and no scandal has been reported on its performance. The existing CVC can be made a multi-member Lok Pal institution after amending the CVC Act, 2003. There is no absolutely no need for creating another “powerful” anti-corruption body. The latest exposure of Wiki leaks about corruption in India has stated, “there is a direct and positive relationship between laws against corruption and the extent of corruption itself, i.e., each such law only means that there are more people to bribe.”When the author joined the CVC in 1973, there was a talk about the CVC becoming the Lok Pal. But the Govt. of India was sitting over this proposal for 3 decades and opened its eyes only when the social activists took to the street and introduced their own version of the “Jan Lok Pal Bill”. The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 8 last year. Then the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 is now under active consideration by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. The moot question is whether creation of another anti-corruption institution would get rid of the monster of corruption, when one institution after another was falling on the wayside on the way to governance. Let us now watch and see how the menace of corruption would be dealt with under this new anti-corruption law.Present scenarioThe AAP government is the only government that means business to deal with the menace of corruption. With its Anti-corruption Bureau, it started catching the corrupt officials. But the LG of Delhi interfered in the functioning of this institution by appointing another chief to head this body, in addition to the official appointed by the AAP government. This institution has now almost come to a standstill. What is the guarantee that the Lok Pal and the Lok Ayukta institutions will not become defunct due to interference of the powers that be? The Lok Ayuka of Karnatake State has now come under a cloud. How can we ensure that the Lok Pals and the Lok Ayuktas being appointed under the revised laws would be fair and impartial in their functioning? No doubt, we can create a perfect Institution through law but such a perfect institution will be again manned by imperfect and unethical persons.