Terms of CVC, VCs J&K SVO ending Feb, Mar

Govt invites fresh nominations from Admn Secys by March 6

Bivek Mathur

JAMMU: With Chief Vigilance Commissioner Kuldeep Khoda and Vigilance Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Organization (J&KSVO) R.K. Jerath retiring this month, and the other Vigilance Commissioner, Mrs Gous-ul-Nisa Jeelani demitting office in March, the state government today invited fresh nominations against the consequent vacancies. Kuldeep Khoda, IPS (Retd), was appointed as the first Chief Vigilance Commissioner vide SRO number 48 dated February 11, 2013, while Dr R.K. Jerath, IAS (Retd), and Mrs Gou-sul-Nisa Jeelani, Principal District & Sessions Judge (Retd), were appointed as Vigilance Commissioners vide SRO No. 49 Dated February 11, 2013 and SRO 353 Dated August 1, 2013, respectively.
The State Vigilance Commission became functional with the administration of oath of office to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioner on February, 22, 2013 by the Governor.
The second Vigilance Commissioner took oath of office on August 16, 2013, thus making the composition of the Commission complete.
As the terms of CVC and VCs of the J&K SVO are coming to an end, the state government today invited nominations from “all administrative secretaries” for the appointment of new Chief Vigilance Commissioner and two VCs in the J&K State Vigilance Commission by March 6, 2017.
An order issued in this context by the General Administrative Department (Vigilance), Civil Secretariat, Jammu/Srinagar reads that “no application will be entertained by the GAD directly from any applicant.”
Who can be appointed as CVC, VCs?
Section 3(3) of the J&K State Vigilance Commission (Amendment Act), 2011 provides that the CVCs and the Vigilance Commissioners shall be appointed from amongst persons who have been or are in All India Service or in any civil service of the state or in civil post under the state having knowledge and experience in matters relating to the vigilance, law, finance, policy making and administration including police administration.
When was the J&K State Vigilance Commission constituted?
The Jammu & Kashmir State Vigilance Commission was constituted vide SRO No. 59 Dated February 15, 2011 in reference to Sub Section 1 of Section 3 of the Jammu & Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Act, 2011.
First CVC and VCs
The government of Jammu and Kashmir appointed Kuldeep Khoda, IPS (Retd.) as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner vide SRO No. 48 Dated February 11, 2013, Dr R.K. Jerath, IAS (Retd.) as the Vigilance Commissioner vide SRO No. 49 Dated February 11, 2013 and Mrs Gou-sul-Nisa Jeelani, Principal District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) as the Vigilance Commissioner vide SRO 353 Dated August 1, 2013, respectively.
Guidelines on appointment of CVC, VCs
The General Administration Department vide notification dated December 29, 2011 issued guidelines regarding appointment of CVC and VCs keeping in view the order of the Apex Court in P.J. Thomas Case.
The guidelines read that the incumbent would have to demit office upon attaining the age of 65 years or upon completion of four years, whichever is earlier; the person recommended must at least have a minimum tenure of 3 years.
“The person should be of outstanding merit and impeccable integrity,” the guidelines read.
The other guidelines are: while making a nomination, a note containing reasons why in the opinion of forwarding/sponsoring authority the person is considered to be suitable for appointment as CVC, VCs including merit and integrity should be made part of nomination. In addition to this, the complete up-to-date curriculum vitae, including age, educational qualification and details of all posts held by the officer since the beginning of his/her career; service record, namely, Annual Confidential Reports; any additional record indicating conferment of honours, awards, additional qualifications, outstanding achievement; details of punishment, if any, awarded in the course of officer’s service career; the Ministries, Departments would also indicate whether there exist any criminal cases, disciplinary proceedings against the officer concerned, an integrity certificate to be issued by the cadre controlling authority, vigilance clearance report from Vigilance Organization or the Commission.
“While sponsoring, names of persons of known impartiality may be forwarded for consideration and endeavor be made to nominate persons belonging to all the fields mentioned above,” the guidelines read.