AS Rajeev takes charge as acting Central Vigilance Commissioner, succeeding Praveen Kumar Srivastava
New Delhi, August 3
Vigilance Commissioner A S Rajeev on Monday took charge as the new acting Central Vigilance Commissioner following a vacancy in the post due to the completion of the tenure of incumbent Praveen Kumar Srivastava.
Rajeev, former Managing Director and CEO, Bank of Maharashtra, was appointed as Vigilance Commissioner by the President of India on February 9, 2024. He joined the Commission on March 11, 2024 as Vigilance Commissioner.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has an MBA in Banking and Finance. He has over 38 years of experience in four banks: Syndicate Bank, Vijaya Bank, Indian Bank and Bank of Maharashtra.
Centre authorises Rajeev to take charge as acting Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission to prevent any disruption in the Commission's operations while the administration finalises a permanent chief.
He will remain in the role of interim Central Vigilance Commissioner until a permanent successor is officially appointed or new directives are issued.
In a July 31 notification, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions had announced the appointment of Rajeev as acting Central Vigilance Commissioner with effect from August 3.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by the sub-section (1) of Section 10 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (45 of 2003), the President is pleased to authorize A.S. Rajeev, Vigilance Commissioner, Central Vigilance Commission, to act as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, in the vacancy to be caused due to completion of the tenure of Praveen Kumar Srivastava, Central Vigilance Commissioner, with effect from the date of occurrence of vacancy, i.e., 3rd day of August, 2026, until the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner," reads the DoPT notification.
Rajeev has taken over the charge from Srivastava, an IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya Cadre of 1988-batch who was appointed as Vigilance Commissioner by the President of India on July 21, 2022. Srivastava joined the Commission on August 3, 2022 as Vigilance Commissioner and Officiated as Central Vigilance Commissioner with effect from December 25, 2022. Srivastava had taken oath as Central Vigilance Commissioner on May 29, 2023.
The Central Vigilance Commission plays a key role in the creation of a credible deterrence against corruption through strict and prompt enforcement of anti-corruption laws and regulations.
It ensures effective preventive measures to minimise the scope for corruption, raise public awareness to inculcate ethical values and reduce society's tolerance for corruption, encourage participation of citizens, civil society and all stakeholders in the fight against corruption, as well as continuously enhance the standards of vigilance administration by strengthening the institutional and regulatory framework, and developing the human resource.
The Commission also focuses of promoting international cooperation in anti-corruption for effective enforcement, sharing of information, exchange of global best practices and capacity building of personnel.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the professional qualifications, I hope this isn't just another case of an 'acting' official running the show indefinitely. The CVC needs a permanent chief to effectively tackle corruption. These interim arrangements, while practical, shouldn't become a long-term solution. The DoPT should expedite the appointment process.
With bank frauds like the ones we've seen in Punjab National Bank and others, it's reassuring to have someone at the helm of the CVC who has actually worked in the banking sector. He knows where the bodies are buried, so to speak. Hopefully, he can bring that insider knowledge to the fight against corruption.
The CVC's role in creating a "credible deterrence against corruption" is crucial, especially in a country like ours where corruption is often seen as a way of life. I hope Mr. Rajeev's experience translates into action that citizens can actually feel on the ground. We need more than just appointments and handovers—we need results.
Interesting to see the transition process in action. Having an interim chief ensures that there's no disruption in anti-corruption work, which is always a good thing. I just hope that the permanent appointment is made quickly, as stability at the top is important for any organisation, especially one as critical as the CVC.
His background as ex-MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra is solid. Banks are often the first place where corruption starts, so having someone who has run a large bank is a smart move. I'm cautiously optimistic that he'll bring some fresh perspective to the commission. Let's see how he handles the interim stint.
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