Vigilance Awareness Week is annually observed across India during the week in which the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st October) falls.
- The week is observed by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to promote integrity, transparency, and ethical practices, emphasising the crucial role of vigilance in preventing corruption and ensuring accountability within organizations.
Vigilance Awareness Week 2023 is observed from 30th October to 5th November 2023.
- Vigilance Awareness Week 2022 was observed from 31st October to 6th November 2022.
The 2023 theme of Vigilance Awareness Week is, “Say no to corruption; commit to the Nation.”
Significance:
i.Vigilance Awareness Week is one of the tools of CVC in increasing public awareness about the riskiness of corruption.
ii.Encouraging citizens to play an active role, CVC emphasises the importance of transparency and accountability in public administration, seeking collaboration for effective governance.
Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week 2023:
Integrity Pledge:
i.Every year, the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week begins with the administration of the Integrity Pledge by CVC.
ii.Central Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava and Vigilance Commissioner Arvinda Kumar administered the integrity pledge at Satarkata Bhawan, New Delhi (Delhi) marking the beginning of Vigilance Awareness Week.
Vigilance Awareness Campaign:
i.The campaign spans 3 months, focusing on preventive vigilance activities from August 16 to November 15, 2023, aiming for comprehensive participation from Central Government bodies.
ii.The Commission is issuing 3 publications, highlighting best practices in vigilance administration, transparency through technology, and challenges in public procurement, fostering knowledge sharing and future guidance.
Focus Areas of the Campaign:
The campaign would have 6 focus areas as preventive vigilance measures. They included:
- Awareness building about Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) resolution;
- Capacity building programmes;
- Identification and implementation of Systemic Improvement Measures;
- Leveraging of Information Technology (IT) for complaint disposal;
- Updation of circulars/guidelines or manuals;
- Disposal of complaints.
About Central Vigilance Commission (CVC):
Central Vigilance Commissioner– Praveen Kumar Srivastava
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
CVC is an apex governmental body in India, established in 1964 as a result of the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
