New Delhi: Lok Sabha on February 26 approved a Bill conferring statutory status on the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to probe offences committed by Central public servants, corporations, societies and local authorities controlled by the Union government.

In his brief reply, Minister of State for Home Harin Pathak said the Bill had to be re-introduced in the House as the previous one passed in March 1999 had lapsed following dissolution of the 12th Lok Sabha in April that year.

The Central Vigilance Commission Bill, 1999, provides for the appointment of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and not more than four Vigilance Commissioners.

The Bill stipulates that the head of the Commission would be appointed by a three- member panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Pathak said the Bill provides for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to obtain prior approval of the government before conducting any inquiry into an offence committed by officers of the rank of a joint secretary or above in any government department or public sector undertakings (PSUs).

Welcoming the measure, Anadi Charan Sahu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said it must be ensured that honest senior government officers were given protection.

If such officials were hauled up on unwarranted grounds, it would lead to procrastination in decision-making and ultimately affect day-to-day functioning of government, he said, adding corrupt officials should not be spared.

PTI