President Pranab Mukherjee authorised Vigilance Commissioner Rajiv to act as CVC

President Pranab Mukherjee on 30 September 2014 authorised Vigilance Commissioner Rajiv to act as chief of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) until the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.  

His appointment came with effect from 29 September 2014.

Background
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is headed by a Central Vigilance Commissioner and has two Vigilance Commissioners.

The vacancy for the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner had occurred after Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar completed his tenure on 28 September 2014. Pradeep Kumar took oath as the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission on 14 July 2011.

The other Vigilance Commissioner JM Garg completed his tenure on 7 September 2014 following which Rajiv was left as the lone Vigilance Commissioner in CVC.

According to the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, in the event of any vacancy in the office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, the President may authorise one of the Vigilance Commissioners to act as the Central Vigilance Commissioner until the appointment of a new incumbent.

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
•    CVC was set up by the Government of India in February 1964 on the recommendations of the K. Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption.
•    Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created to address governmental corruption. It has the status of an autonomous body, free of control from any executive authority.
•    It is charged with the duty to monitor all vigilance activity under the Central Government of India and advise various authorities in central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work.
•    Nittoor Srinivasa Rau was the first Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India.

Supreme Court Judgement on appointment of CVC and VC
Presently, Supreme Court of India is hearing a case related to the lack of transparency in the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi on 18 September 2014 assured the apex court that no final decision would be taken on the appointment of the CVC chief and vigilance commissioners during pendency of the case.

Supreme Court has fixed 14 October 2014 as the date for the final hearing in the matter.