Jitendra Singh Highlights Sharp Decline in Disciplinary Cases Across Government

NEW DELHI, Aug 3: India’s vigilance administration has undergone a significant transformation over the past few years, with the backlog of disciplinary proceedings dropping from more than 4,000 to nearly 700, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said on Monday. He attributed the sharp decline to sustained institutional reforms, technology-led governance and continuous monitoring across government departments.

Singh made the remarks during a meeting with outgoing Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Praveen Kumar Srivastava, who called on the minister after completing his tenure. During the interaction, Srivastava presented an overview of the Commission’s major initiatives aimed at strengthening transparency, efficiency and accountability in public administration.

The minister said an effective and time-bound vigilance framework is essential for strengthening public trust in government institutions. According to him, coordinated efforts among ministries, departments and vigilance authorities have played a crucial role in accelerating the disposal of disciplinary matters while improving administrative efficiency.

Srivastava briefed the minister on several technology-driven reforms introduced by the Commission to modernise vigilance administration. Among the key initiatives highlighted was the Vigilance Status Portal (VSP), a digital platform designed to process vigilance clearance proposals electronically, reducing delays and improving transparency in the clearance mechanism.

The Commission also showcased the upgraded Vigilance Case Management System (VCMS), which enables complete digital handling of vigilance cases. The platform supports real-time tracking, data analytics and faster decision-making, allowing authorities to monitor proceedings more efficiently while minimising procedural delays.

The meeting also reviewed steps taken to improve public procurement practices. The Commission has worked towards consolidating procurement guidelines under a common framework to ensure greater consistency, transparency and ease of implementation across government organisations.

Discussions further focused on expanding the role of technology in anti-corruption efforts. The Commission outlined initiatives relating to fraud prevention in banking and financial institutions, strengthening cyber security measures and encouraging the ethical application of Artificial Intelligence in vigilance functions.

Another major reform highlighted during the meeting was the online complaint management system, which enables citizens to submit, monitor and track complaints digitally. The Commission has also expanded training programmes for vigilance officers to equip them with the skills needed to address evolving governance challenges.

The minister was informed that public outreach remains a key priority for the Commission through Vigilance Awareness Week, which promotes integrity and ethical governance across educational institutions, rural communities and public organisations while encouraging greater citizen participation in the fight against corruption.

Looking ahead, the Commission plans to broaden the use of its Probity Portal for monitoring disciplinary proceedings, undertake Time and Motion Studies to simplify vigilance processes and increase the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies for predictive vigilance and more efficient administration.

Praveen Kumar Srivastava joined the Central Vigilance Commission as Vigilance Commissioner on August 3, 2022, and had been officiating as the Central Vigilance Commissioner since December 25, 2022. Following the completion of his tenure, Vigilance Commissioner A. S. Rajeev has assumed charge as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner, according to official sources.