Statutory Bodies.pptx

Statutory and non statutory bodies

1. Statutory and Non Statutory Bodies

2. National Human Rights Commission Establishment Established on 12th October, 1993, under Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. It was amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006 and Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019 It was established in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted for the promotion and protection of human rights in Paris (October, 1991) and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December, 1993.

3. Composition Key Members It is a multi-member body consisting of a chairman and four members. A person who has been the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court is a chairman. Appointment The chairman and members are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and the Union Home Minister. Tenure The chairman and members hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. The President can remove the chairman or any member from the office under some circumstances.

4. Role and Function It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character. It is empowered to utilise the services of any officer or investigation agency of the Central government or any state government for the purpose of investigating complaints of human rights violation. It can look into a matter within one year of its occurrence, i.e the Commission is not empowered to inquire into any matter after the expiry of one year from the date on which the act constituting violation of human rights is alleged to have been committed. The functions of the commission are mainly recommendatory in nature. It has no power to punish the violators of human rights, nor to award any relief including monetary relief to the victim. It has limited role, powers and jurisdiction with respect to the violation of human rights by the members of the armed forces. It is not empowered to act when human rights violations through private parties take place.

5. Limitations of NHRC NHRC does not have any mechanism of investigation. In majority cases, it asks the concerned Central and State Governments to investigate the cases of the violation of Human Rights It has been termed as ‘India’s teasing illusion’ by Soli Sorabjee (former Attorney-General of India) due to its incapacity to render any practical relief to the aggrieved party. NHRC can only make recommendations, without the power to enforce decisions. Many times NHRC is viewed as post-retirement destinations for judges and bureaucrats with political affiliation moreover, inadequacy of funds also hamper its working.

6. Limitations of NHRC A large number of grievances go unaddressed because NHRC cannot investigate the complaint registered after one year of incident. Government often out rightly rejects recommendation of NHRC or there is partial compliance to these recommendations. State human rights commissions cannot call for information from the national government, which means that they are implicitly denied the power to investigate armed forces under national control. National Human Rights Commission powers related to violations of human rights by the armed forces have been largely restricted.

7. Suggestions There is need for complete revamping of NHRC to make it more effective and truly a watchdog of human right violations in the country. NHRC efficacy can be enhanced by government if commission decisions are made enforceable. There is need to change in composition of commission by including members from civil society and activists. NHRC needs to develop an independent cadre of staff with appropriate experience. Many laws in India are very old and archaic in nature by amending which government can bring more transparency in regulations. To improve and strengthen the human rights situation in India, state and non-state actors need to work in tandem.

8. NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) Planning Commission was replaced by a new institution – NITI AAYYOG on January 1, 2015 with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ approach to envisage the vision of Maximum Governance, Minimum Government, echoing the spirit of ‘Cooperative Federalism’.

9. Membership Chairperson: Prime Minister Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by Prime-Minister Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories. Regional Council: To address specific regional issues, Comprising Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors Chaired by Prime Minister or his nominee. Adhoc Membership: 2 member in ex-officio capacity from leading Research institutions on rotational basis. Ex-Officio membership: Maximum four from Union council of ministers to be nominated by Prime minister. Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by Prime-minister for a fixed tenure, in rank of Secretary to Government of India. Special Invitees: Experts, Specialists with domain knowledge nominated by Prime-minister.

10. Importance The 65 year-old Planning Commission had become a redundant organization. It was relevant in a command economy structure, but not any longer. India is a diversified country and its states are in various phases of economic development along with their own strengths and weaknesses. In this context, a ‘one size fits all’ approach to economic planning is obsolete. It cannot make India competitive in today’s global economy.

11. Objectives To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation. To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government. To ensure, on areas that are specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy. To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress.

12. Objectives To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions. To create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and other partners. To offer a platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda. To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their dissemination to stake-holders.

13. Challenges To prove its mettle in policy formulation, the NITI Aayog needs to prioritize from the long list of 13 objectives with clear understanding of the difference in policy, planning and strategy. To build the trust, faith and confidence more than the planning commission, NITI Aayog needs freedom of various kinds with budgetary provisions not in terms of plan and non-plan expenditures but revenue and capital expenditure as the higher rate of increase in capital expenditure can remove infrastructural deficits at all levels of operation in the economy.

14. National Commission for Minorities Genesis: In 1978, setting up of the Minorities Commission (MC) was envisaged in the Ministry of Home Affairs Resolution. In 1984, the MC was detached from the Ministry of Home Affairs and placed under the newly created Ministry of Welfare, which excluded linguistic minorities from the Commission’s jurisdiction in 1988. In 1992, with the enactment of the NCM Act, 1992, the MC became a statutory body and was renamed as the NCM. In 1993, the first Statutory National Commission was set up and five religious communities viz the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) were notified as minority communities. In 2014, Jains were also notified as a minority community.

15. Composition NCM consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and five members and all of them shall be from amongst the minority communities. Total of 7 persons to be nominated by the Central Government should be from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity. Tenure: Each Member holds office for a period of three years from the date of assumption of office.

16. Functions Evaluation of the progress of the development of minorities under the Union and States. Monitoring of the working of the safeguards for minorities provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the state legislatures. Ensures that the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities is implemented and the programmes for minority communities are actually functioning. Making recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of minorities by the central or state governments.

17. Functions Looking into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and taking up such matters with the appropriate authorities. Investigates matters of communal conflict and riots. For example, the 2011 Bharatpur communal riots, as well as the 2012 Bodo-Muslim clashes in Assam, were investigated by the commission and their findings were submitted to the government. Observes the Minorities Rights Day every year on 18th December which marks the adoption of the “Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities” by the United Nations in 1992.

18. National Green Tribunal (NGT) It is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. With the establishment of the NGT, India became the third country in the world to set up a specialised environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so. NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same. The NGT has five places of sittings, New Delhi is the Principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.

19. Structure of NGT The Tribunal comprises of the Chairperson, the Judicial Members and Expert Members. They shall hold office for term of five years and are not eligible for reappointment. The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with Chief Justice of India (CJI). A Selection Committee shall be formed by central government to appoint the Judicial Members and Expert Members. There are to be least 10 and maximum 20 full time Judicial members and Expert Members in the tribunal.

20. Powers & Jurisdiction The Tribunal has jurisdiction over all civil cases involving substantial question relating to environment (including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment). Being a statutory adjudicatory body like Courts, apart from original jurisdiction side on filing of an application, NGT also has appellate jurisdiction to hear appeal as a Court (Tribunal). The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908, but shall be guided by principles of 'natural justice'. While passing any order/decision/ award, it shall apply the principles of sustainable development, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle.

21. Powers & Jurisdiction NGT by an order, can provide relief and compensation to the victims of pollution and other environmental damage (including accident occurring while handling any hazardous substance), for restitution of property damaged, and for restitution of the environment for such area or areas, as the Tribunal may think fit. An order/decision/award of Tribunal is executable as a decree of a civil court. The NGT Act also provides a procedure for a penalty for non compliance : Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, Fine which may extend to ten crore rupees, and Both fine and imprisonment. An appeal against order/decision/ award of the NGT lies to the Supreme Court, generally within ninety days from the date of communication.

22. Strengths of NGT Over the years NGT has emerged as a critical player in environmental regulation, passing strict orders on issues ranging from pollution to deforestation to waste management. NGT offers a path for the evolution of environmental jurisprudence by setting up an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. It helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts on environmental matters. NGT is less formal, less expensive, and a faster way of resolving environment related disputes. It plays a crucial role in curbing environment-damaging activities. The Chairperson and members are not eligible for reappointment, hence they are likely to deliver judgements independently, without succumbing to pressure from any quarter. The NGT has been instrumental in ensuring that the Environment Impact Assessment process is strictly observed.

23. Challenges Two important acts - Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 have been kept out of NGT’s jurisdiction. This restricts the jurisdiction area of NGT and at times hampers its functioning as crucial forest rights issue is linked directly to environment. The NGT decisions are being challenged in various High Courts under Article 226 (power of High Courts to issue certain writs) with many asserting the superiority of a High Court over the NGT, claiming ‘High Court is a constitutional body while NGT is a statutory body’.” This is one of the weaknesses of the Act as there is lack of clarity about what kind of decisions can be challenged; even though according to the NGT Act, its decision can be challenged before the Supreme Court. Decisions of NGT have also been criticised and challenged due to their repercussions on economic growth and development.

24. Challenges The absence of a formula based mechanism in determining the compensation has also brought criticism to the tribunal. The decisions given by NGT are not fully complied by the stakeholders or the government. Sometimes its decisions are pointed out not to be feasible to implement within a given timeframe. The lack of human and financial resources has led to high pendency of cases - which undermines NGT’s very objective of disposal of appeals within 6 months. The justice delivery mechanism is also hindered by limited number of regional benches.

25. Suo-Motu Powers of National Green Tribunal Recently, the Supreme Court has declared the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) position as a “unique” forum endowed with suo motu (on its own motion) powers to take up environmental issues across the country. Not limited to Adjudicating Role: The role of the NGT is not simply adjudicatory in nature. The Tribunal has to perform equally vital roles that are preventative, ameliorative or remedial in nature. The functional capacity of the NGT is intended to leverage wide powers to do full justice in its environmental mandate. Article 21 rights cannot stand on a narrow compass of interpretation. Article 21 of the constitution protects the right to life and personal liberty.

26. National Council for Transgender Persons Aim: To mainstream the transgender community’s concerns, focusing on livelihood issues as well as to raise awareness about the trans community, so that transpersons are accepted within families and in the larger society. To ensure that transgender welfare boards are set up in all States and essential needs of the transgender community, like housing, food, healthcare and education are met. Functions: Advising the Central government on the formulation of policies, programmes , legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons. Monitoring and evaluating the impact of policies and programmes designed for achieving equality and full participation of transgender persons. Reviewing and coordinating the activities of all the departments. Redressing grievances of transgender persons. Performing such other functions as prescribed by the Centre.

27. National Council for Transgender Persons Composition: Its chairperson will be the Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It will also consists of: Representatives from five states or Union Territories (one each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions), on a rotational basis. Five members of the trangender community (one each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions). The tenure of the community members shall be three years. Representatives from 10 central departments. The council will have joint secretary-level members from the Ministries of Health, Home, Minority Affairs, Education, Rural Development, Labour and Law. In addition, there will be a member from the Department of Pensions (Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions), NITI Aayog, National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women.

28. Features of Transgender Persons Act, 2019 Seeks to establish Natonal Council for Transgender persons. Definition of a Transgender Person: The Act defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth. It includes transmen and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra. Certificate of Identity: The Act states that a transgender person shall have the right to self-perceived gender identity. A certificate of identity can be obtained at the District Magistrate's office and a revised certificate is to be obtained if sex is changed. The Act has a provision that provides transgender the right of residence with parents and immediate family members. Prohibition Against Discrimination: The Act prohibits discrimination against a transgender person in various sectors such as education, employment, and healthcare etc. Punishment: It states that the offences against transgender persons will attract imprisonment between six months and two years, in addition to a fine.

29. National Commission for Women The National Commission for Women was set up in 1992 under the National commission Act. It was established to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women. It recommends remedial legislative measures, facilitates redressal of grievances and advises the government on all policy matters affecting the women. It enjoys all the powers of a civil court. But there are many limitations that prevent it from working towards women with ease.

30. Major role of National Commission for Women Investigation and Examination: NCW investigate and examine all the matters related to the safeguards provided for the women under the Constitution and other laws. Presentation of Reports: It table reports to the central government, every year and at such other times as the commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards Recommendation to government: Make in such reports and recommendations, for the effective accomplishment of those safeguards for enhancing the conditions of the women by the Union or any State. Legislative reviews: Review, every now and then, the current provisions of the Constitution and other laws distressing the women and prescribe alterations and suggest curative legislative measures meet any break, inadequacies and incapacity in such legislation. Cases of violation: Take up cases of infringement of the provisions of the Constitution and of other laws relating to the women with the relevant authorities. Suo motu notice: It looks into complaints, and takes Suo Motto notice of matters relating to – deprivation of women’s rights, Non-implementation of the laws and Non-compliance of the policy decisions guaranteeing the welfare for women society. Special Studies and Investigation: It conducts special studies or investigation on the concerning issues or circumstance emerging out of segregation and outrages against ladies and recognises the limitations in order to suggest techniques for their expulsion Research: It also undertakes promotional and educational research so as to propose ways of ensuring due representation of the women in all fields.

31. Major limitations of National Commission for Women making it toothless Not concrete powers: The NCW is only recommendatory and has no power to enforce its decisions. Often it takes action only if the issues are brought to light. Unreported cases of oppression and suppression of women are not attended to. Legal powers: Commission lacks constitutional status, and thus has no legal powers to summon police officers or witnesses. Also, it has no power to take legal actions against the Internal Complaint Committees that prevent grievance redressal of women facing harassment. Less funding: NCW’s functions are dependent on the grants offered by the central government. Financial assistance provided to the Commission is very less to cater to its needs. Political interference: It does not have the power to choose its own members. The power selecting members is vested with the Union government leading to political interference at various levels.

32. Steps need to be taken Staff selection: Commission must be granted the power of selecting its own members. The members should be chosen without any prejudice and should have fair knowledge of law and understands the society and human behaviour . Awareness generation: More awareness has to be created especially among the rural women about the existence of the Commission. The Commission can employ a person at the district level to bring into light the atrocities occurring at the district level. Legal powers: Functioning of the NCW has to be strengthened and given more legal powers as part of any effort to strengthen the laws for safety of women at the workplace. The chairperson of NCW should be given the status of the Union Cabinet Minister and the members that of minister of state. Funding: Centre must devolve more funds to NCW. NCW should have an independent budget and must not be dependent on the Women and Child Development Ministry for funds. Though the NCW have done some good work for the women in India, the above mentioned shortcomings must be addressed. NCW was instrumental in various campaigns, for example, against triple talaq. But at numerous times the Commission has not been able to come up to the expectations of women in India. Empowering NCW with enough powers can help in making it more efficient.

33. CBI Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier investigating police agency in India. It functions under the superintendence of the Deptt . of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India - which falls under the prime minister’s office. However for investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, its superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission. It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries. Its conviction rate is as high as 65 to 70% and it is comparable to the best investigation agencies in the world.

34. Historical Background During the period of World War II, a Special Police Establishment (SPE) was constituted in 1941 in the Department of War of the British India to enquire into allegations of bribery and corruption in the war related procurements. Later on it was formalized as an agency of the Government of India to investigate into allegations of corruption in various wings of the Government of India by enacting the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946. CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. In 1963, the CBI was established by the Government of India with a view to investigate serious crimes related to defence of India, corruption in high places, serious fraud, cheating and embezzlement and social crime, particularly of hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering in essential commodities, having all-India and inter-state ramifications. With the passage of time, CBI started investigations in conventional crimes like assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, crimes committed by extremists, etc.

35. Cases Handled by the CBI Anti-Corruption Crimes - for investigation of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Public officials and the employees of Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Corporations or Bodies owned or controlled by the Government of India. Economic Crimes - for investigation of major financial scams and serious economic frauds, including crimes relating to Fake Indian Currency Notes, Bank Frauds and Cyber Crime, bank frauds, Import Export & Foreign Exchange violations, large-scale smuggling of narcotics, antiques, cultural property and smuggling of other contraband items etc. Special Crimes - for investigation of serious and organized crime under the Indian Penal Code and other laws on the requests of State Governments or on the orders of the Supreme Court and High Courts - such as cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, kidnapping for ransom and crimes committed by the mafia/the underworld. Suo Moto Cases - CBI can suo -moto take up investigation of offences only in the Union Territories. The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate a crime in a State but only with the consent of the concerned State Government. The Supreme Court and High Courts, however, can order CBI to investigate a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the State.

36. Director of CBI Director, CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organisation . Till 2014, the CBI Director was appointed on the basis of the DSPE Act, 1946. In 2003, DSPE Act was revised on Supreme Court’s recommendation in the Vineet Narain case. A committee that had members from Central Vigilance Commission, Secretaries from Home Ministry, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances would send recommendations to Central Government for the appointment of CBI Director. In 2014, the Lokpal Act provided a committee for appointment of CBI Director: Headed by Prime Minister Other members - Leader of Opposition/ Leader of the single largest opposition party, Chief Justice of India/ a Supreme Court Judge. Home Ministry sends a list of eligible candidates to DoPT . Then, the DoPT prepares the final list on basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the investigation of anti-corruption cases, and sends it to the committee. Director of CBI has been provided security of two year tenure, by the CVC Act, 2003.

37. Challenges The Supreme Court of India has criticised the CBI by calling it a "caged parrot speaking in its master's voice", due to excessive political interference in its functioning. It has often been used by the government of the day to cover up wrongdoing, keep coalition allies in line and political opponents at bay. It has been accused of enormous delays in concluding investigations - For example, the inertia in its probe against the high dignitaries in Jain hawala diaries case [of the 1990s]. Loss of Credibility: Improving the image of the agency is one of the biggest challenges till now as the agency has been criticised for its mismanagement of several cases involving prominent politicians and mishandling of several sensitive cases like Bofors scandal; Hawala scandal, Sant Singh Chatwal case, Bhopal gas tragedy, 2008 Noida double murder case(Aarushi Talwar).

38. Challenges Lack of Accountability: CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act, thus, lacking public accountability. Acute shortage of personnel: A major cause of the shortfall is the government's sheer mismanagement of CBI's workforce, through a system of inefficient, and inexplicably biased, recruitment policies - used to bring in favoured officers, possibly to the detriment of the organisation . Limited Powers: The powers and jurisdiction of members of the CBI for investigation are subject to the consent of the State Govt., thus limiting the extent of investigation by CBI. Restricted Access: Prior approval of Central Government to conduct inquiry or investigation on the employees of the Central Government, of the level of Joint Secretary and above is a big obstacle in combating corruption at higher levels of bureaucracy.

39. Suggestions Delink the CBI from the administrative control of the government - As long as the government of the day has the power to transfer and post officials of its choice in the CBI, the investigating agency will not enjoy autonomy and will be unable to investigate cases freely. Providing statutory status through legislation equivalent to that provided to the Comptroller & Auditor General and the Election Commission wil help maintain the independence of the institution.

40. Suggestions Twenty fourth report of Department related parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public grievances, law and justice on working of CBI recommended the following: Strengthening human resources by increasing strength of CBI; Better investments in infrastructural facilities; Increased financial resource and administrative empowerment with accountability; Give more Powers (related to Union, State and Concurrent list of the 7th schedule of Indian constitution), to the CBI; Separate enactment under – "Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation Act" and replace DSPE Act. In 1978, the L P Singh committee recommended enactment of a “comprehensive central legislation to remove the deficiency of not having a central investigative agency with a self-sufficient statutory charter of duties and functions”. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007) also suggested that “a new law should be enacted to govern the working of the CBI”.

41. CVC Central Vigilance Commission is conceived to be the apex vigilance institution, free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government. It advises various authorities in Central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.

42. Background The CVC was set up by the Government in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam. The Parliament enacted Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (CVC Act) conferring statutory status on the CVC. It is an independent body which is only responsible to the Parliament. It submits its report to the President of India.

43. Functions Exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The CVC receives complaints on corruption or misuse of office and recommends appropriate action. Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach CVC: Central government, Lokpal and Whistle blowers. CVC has no investigation wing of its own as it depends on the CBI and the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO) of central organizations, while CBI has its own investigation wing drawing its powers from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

44. Composition It is a multi-member Commission consisting of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than 2 Vigilance Commissioners (Member). Appointment of Commissioners: They are appointed by the President of India on the recommendations of a committee consisting of Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (if there is no Leader of Opposition then the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha).

45. Tenure Term: Their term is 4 years or 65 years, whichever is earlier. Removal: Removal is done by the President on grounds of bankruptcy, unsound mind, infirmity of body or mind, sentenced to imprisonment for a crime, or engages in paid employment or has acquired financial or other interest that might affect his judgment. He can also be removed for proved misbehaviour or incapacity if the Supreme Court inquiry finds him guilty. They can also resign by writing to the President.

46. Functions The CVC receives complaints on corruption or misuse of office and to recommend appropriate action. Following institutions, bodies, or a person can approach to CVC: Central government Lokpal Whistle blowers A whistleblower is a person, who could be an employee of a company, or a government agency, or an outsider (like media, higher government officials, or police) disclosing information to the public or some higher authority about any wrongdoing, which could be in the form of fraud, corruption, etc. It is not an investigating agency. The CVC either gets the investigation done through the CBI or through chief vigilance officers (CVO) in government offices. It is empowered to inquire into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants. Its annual report gives the details of the work done by the commission and points to systemic failures which lead to corruption in government departments. Improvements and preventive measures are also suggested in report.