VIGILANCE
Democracy is by the people, for the people and of the people, democracy requires transparency and an effective system of checks and balances because democracy is plagued by corruption.
The purpose of Vigilance is to protect the virtue of democracy by fighting all the malafide and evil intentions of people in power.
Thus the Central Vigilance Commission was set up by the Government of India by a Resolution, dated 11.02.1964 in pursuance of the recommendations made by the Committee on Prevention of Corruption (popularly known as Santhanam Committee).
It was accorded statutory status with effect from 25.08.1998 through “The Central Vigilance Commission Ordinance, 1998”.
The Chief Vigilance Officer extends assistance in all matters pertaining to Vigilance and provides a link between the Bank and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Some of the functions and powers of the Commission, as laid down in Section 8(1) of the CVC Act, 2003, which is relevant to the Banking sector are as under:
- a) To inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made on a reference made by the Central Government regarding any public servant or into any complaint against any official under its jurisdiction wherein it is alleged that he has committed an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; and an offence under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, be charged at the same trail.
- b) To review the progress of applications pending with the competent authorities for sanction of prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988;
- c) To tender advice to the Central Government and its Organizations on such matters as may be referred to it by them and to exercise superintendence over the vigilance administration of the various Ministries of the Central Government and its Organizations;
Role of Vigilance in banks:
Banks, which act as an intermediary between depositors and lenders, are duty bound to observe the highest standards of safeguards to ensure that money accepted from depositors are not mis-utilised and are put to gainful use or are available with them to be paid on demand. In order to ensure this, banks are not only required to do due diligence on the borrowers but are also expected to put in place appropriate safeguards to ensure that the transactions being undertaken by the staff are as per laid down guidelines. The watchfulness enforced by the vigilance function is required to ensure that public money, which banks hold in fiduciary capacity is not allowed to be misused by the delinquent elements in any manner. In a sense, an effective vigilance is a sine qua non for good Governance.
An effective vigilance set-up in an organization will certainly ensure the function of all other segments in an efficient way. The purpose of vigilance activity is not to stifle such ability or to obstruct the achievement of organizational goals and objectives but to enhance the managerial effectiveness, both at micro as well as macro levels
Vigilance covers many types of activities broadly categorized as under:
(i) Preventive vigilance
(ii) Punitive vigilance
(iii) Surveillance and detection.
Through these, vigilance department protects the interest of all stakeholders viz. the depositors, the shareholders, the bank as a whole, etc.
Systemic improvements undertaken by the bank:
Standard Operating Processes (SOPs): SOPs have been formulated and circulated to field functionaries by all divisions on all major operational functions to desist any deviations from the guidelines of the Bank.
Revision of Policies: All the relevant policies stand reviewed by the concerned divisions to provide ready reference to all staff members.
Staff Accountability Policy: Improvement has been made to align Vigilance Administration in the Bank with best practices along with formation of SOP for smooth roll out.
Whistle Blower Policy: The policy has been extended to receive protected disclosure of any allegation of corruption or wilful misuse of power/ discretion against any employee of the Bank. The Chairman is the competent authority to deal with such disclosures.
Roles and Responsibilities of Vigilance Officer (KRAs): The roles and responsibilities of Vigilance Officer have been defined as per Vigilance Manual for effective vigilance administration of the Bank.
On boarding of IEM: The bank has on boarded one IEM Shri. Gurudev Singh Bhatnagar on its panel.
The bank will be opened for half yearly observations by the recently on boarded Independent External Monitor, IEM on its works, purchase and procurement activities.
Vigilance notice board at all branches for ease of reporting malafide activities.
Dedicated vigilance page in the website of the Bank which aims reaching out further to all the stakeholders of the bank.
Celebration of Vigilance Awareness Week: It was declared by the Commission that the week in which the Birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel falls i.e. 31st October shall be observed as “Vigilance Awareness Week” with a view to spread awareness among citizens regarding the fight against
corruption and their role.
Way forward:
The bank will continue and thrive for strengthening the Vigilance Activities in the coming days to build an institution having strong ethics and transparent work culture.
The bank will reinforce Inspection and Monitoring department to cater to any complaints or issues of stakeholders and ensure prompt disposal of the same.
Vigilance Awareness in Financial Literacy Camps: The Bank will provide Vigilance Awareness in Financial Literacy Camps wherever conducted across its branches along with other contents.
The bank will continue to follow the latest Vigilance Manual and circulars of CVC/ RBI/ other related Central and State Government Departments thereby alerting all its staffs from time to time.
The bank assures to follow all the norms under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and strive for increasing Effectiveness of Vigilance Administration.
“VIGILANCE NOTICE BOARD”
In case any staff member demands bribe/ undue favour/ personal gains or practices corruption/ malpractice/ misconduct-
Please contact / report to as under:
Vigilance Officer, MRB
H.O. Keishampat, Imphal West, Manipur- 795001
email id: mrb.vig@mrbmanipur.co.in
Contact number (0385)2952095
Or
Additional Chief Vigilance Officer
15th floor, United Tower, 11, Hemanta Basu Sarani, Dalhousie, Kolkata 700001
Email id: addlcvokolkata@pnb.co.in
Contact number (033)22627365
Or
Chief Vigilance Officer, PNB
Plot no. 4, sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi- 110075
email id: vigilance@pnb.co.in/cvo@pnb.co.in
Vigilance Department (011)28044212
Chief Vigilance Officer (011)28044012