News: The Central Vigilance Commission has amended the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) on adoption of “Integrity Pact” in government organisations for procurement activities.It also restricted the maximum tenure of Integrity External Monitors(IEMs) to three years in an organisation.
Facts:
- Integrity Pact: It is a vigilance tool that envisages an agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders and the buyer committing both the parties not to exercise any corrupt influence on any aspect of the contract.
- Significance: The pact ensures transparency, equity and competitiveness in public procurement.
- Integrity External Monitors(IEM): The Integrity Pact envisages a panel of IEMs for each organisation.IEM reviews independently and objectively, whether and to what extent parties have complied with their obligations under the pact.
- They may submit a report to the chief executive of the organisation concerned or directly to the CVO and the CVC if they find serious irregularities attracting the Prevention of Corruption Act provisions.
Additional Facts:
- Central Vigilance Commission(CVC): It was set up by the Government in February,1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption headed by K. Santhanam.
- Statutory Status: The Commission was accorded the status of independent statutory authority through the Central Vigilance Commission Act,2003.
- Independent Body: It is not controlled by any Ministry or Department.It is an independent body which is only responsible to the Parliament.
