Central Vigilance Commission being the apex integrity institution of country, has been striving to promote integrity in various Central Government offices and public sector undertakings. Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week every year is a step towards this direction by the Commission whereby all the stake holders are enthused to fight corruption.

2. The Commission has decided that this year the Vigilance Awareness Week would be observed from 29th October (Monday) to 3rd November (Saturday) 2012. The observance of the Vigilance Awareness Week should commence with the pledge (copy enclosed) on 29th October, 2012 at 11.00 a.m. This year the theme of observing Vigilance Awareness Week is "Transparency in Public Procurement".

3. Substantive part of activities of a number of public organizations includes procurement of goods, works and other services. Integrity in public procurement, therefore, is a priority area in any anti-corruption strategy. The risk of corruption in public procurement is dependent on various factors like cost of the procurement complexity of the technology involved, the urgency to acquire the goods or immediacy of the project and the extent of discretion enjoyed by the procurement officials. A sound procurement system should be able to address these risk factors. For emphasising transparency, accountability and probity in public procurement, the Commission is committed to raise awareness.

4. Apart from creating awareness, the Commission expects public organizations to introduce e-procurement, e-payment etc. by leveraging technology and make measurable progress in the days ahead in this regard. The Commission emphasizes the public officials to act with integrity, without any fear or favour. Wherever there is a knowledge gap with regard to public procurement; measures for proper capacity building should be undertaken.

5. Ministries/ Departments/ PSUs/ Banks/ Organisations are advised to consider the following activities during the Vigilance Awareness Week :-

i. To display banners, posters etc, at prime locations in their offices;

ii. To organize seminars/ workshops inviting prominent faculty;

iii. To organize competitive debates/ lectures/essays on anti-corruption topics amongst the employees and the students in the colleges / schools and to distribute prizes;

iv. To bring out special issue of journals during the period; and

v. To request the non-government organizations, institution and service associations in the local area to participate in the Vigilance Awareness campaign.

6. Public Sector Enterprises, societies and local authorities are also advised that message (pledge) may be read to Board of Directors by respective Chairman in the Board / Governing body meeting being held prior to the Vigilance Awareness Week, Public Sector Enterprises, Banks and Insurance Companies are advised to organize programmes regarding awareness against corruption among the youth by involving schools/ colleges in the local area through their units / branches.

7. A report about the manner in which the Week was observed may be sent to the Central Vigilance Commission by 15th December, 2012, by each organisation.

8. This notification is also available on the Commission's website at http://cvc.nic.in

(K D Tripathi)
Secretary