The Central Vigilance Department in NABARD has been set up on July 1, 1985 and comprises a Central Vigilance Department (CVD) at the Head office, Vigilance Departments at the Regional offices and at the Bank’s Training Establishments, which are functioning under the overall control of the Chief Vigilance Officer. Jurisdiction of CVO also extends to all the subsidiaries of NABARD, where one officer, on deputation from NABARD, not below the rank of AGM, is designated the Internal Vigilance Officer.

The basic objective of Vigilance administration is to promote integrity and transparency in the entire functioning of the bank, including the areas of procurement of goods and services. It also helps in improving the Bank’s compliance towards the directions and requirements of Central Vigilance Commission, GoI, New Delhi.

Core Functions

CVD performs the following functions:

• Deal with matters concerning vigilance cases of employees
• Examine complaints received from the public, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Government of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), etc.
• Furnish the required information to the RBI, CBI, CVC, DFS, MoF- GoI etc.
• Liaison with the above-named agencies in matters of mutual interest.
• Implement preventive vigilance mechanisms by way of periodical monitoring of inspection reports, audit reports, contracts, NPAs and Preventive Vigilance Inspections (PVI) of Regional offices, Training Establishments and Head Office departments.
• Explore sensitive areas of concern
• Provide suggestions for systemic improvement

Anonymous/pseudonymous complaints:

Any complaint that does not bear the name and address of the complainant is an anonymous complaint and any complaint that does not bear the full particulars of the complainant or is unsigned or is not subsequently acknowledged by a complainant as having been made is a pseudonymous complaint.

As per Central Vigilance Commission’s order No. 12/09/20 dated 24 September 2020 ‘no action would be taken on anonymous/ pseudonymous complaints and such complaints should be filed’.

Protection of anonymity under Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI)

PIDPI envisages a mechanism by which a complainant can blow a whistle by lodging a complaint and also seek protection against his/her victimisation for doing so. The CVC is authorised as the Designated Agency to receive written complaints or disclosure under the mechanism. The designated agency may, if it deems fit, call for further information or particulars from the persons making the disclosure. The identity of the complainant will not be revealed. The designated agency on finding the allegation of misuse of office or corruption substantive, shall recommend appropriate action to the concerned Department or Organisation. If on an application or on the basis of information gathered, the designated agency is of the opinion that the complainant or the witness need protection, it shall issue appropriate directions to the concerned Government authorities; and in the event of the identity of the informant being disclosed in spite of the designated agency’s directions to the contrary, the designated agency is authorised to initiate appropriate action as per extant regulations against the person or agency making such disclosure. The Commission, subject to the facts of the case being verifiable, will take the necessary action, as provided under the Government of India PIDPI Resolution.

The PIDPI complaint should be in a closed/ secured envelope and should be addressed to Secretary, CVC. The envelope should clearly be inscribed with “Complaint under the Public Interest Disclosure” or “PIDPI”. The PIDPI complainant should give his/her name and address in the beginning or end of complaint or in an attached letter. The name and address should NOT be mentioned on the envelope. In order to protect identity of the person, the Commission will not issue any acknowledgement and the whistle-blowers are advised not to enter into any further correspondence with the Commission in their own interest. PIDPI complaints should not include details that identify the complainant.

Further information can be found via the below weblinks:

• Guidelines for Lodging PIDPI Complaint:

  https://cvc.gov.in/pidpi.html

• The FAQs on PIDPI complaint can be accessed at

  https://portal.cvc.gov.in/faq

Complaint redressal status

During the year 2023-24, the CVD, HO dealt with 196 complaints received from the general public, CVC, CBI, RBI, DFS etc. Of these, 188 were examined and disposed off. The remaining 8 complaints were in due process as at the end of March 2024.

Important Links

• Complaint Handling Policy of CVC, Govt. of India can be seen in Chapter III and PIDPI guidelines in Chapter IV of the Vigilance Manual (Updated 2021-Link given below)
  https://cvc.gov.in/files/vigilance-manual-pdf/VM-E%2000005.pdf

Other information

Vigilance Awareness Week (VAW) 2024 was observed from 28th October 2024 to 3rd November 2024 with the theme “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity”. During VAW 2024, following activities were organised by Central Vigilance Department (CVD):

• Walkathon was organised in Bandra-Kurla Complex on 25 October 2024. The walkathon was flagged off by Shri Shaji K V, Chairman - NABARD, Shri Goverdhan Singh Rawat, DMD - NABARD, Dr. Ajay K Sood, DMD - NABARD and Shri U Dinesh Shanbhag, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) - NABARD. Members of other banks including NaBFID joined NABARD staff in the walkathon. The 950 strong contingent carried placards displaying slogans and depictions of the theme of the year to disseminate the message of "Culture of Integrity for Nation's Prosperity". The event was widely covered by print media and social media.
• Integrity Pledge on 28 October 2024 – Shri Shaji K V, Chairman, NABARD administered the Integrity Pledge to Chief General Managers of Head Office Departments & CEOs of NABARD Subsidiaries situated at BKC, Mumbai. Messages received from Hon'ble President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Central Vigilance Commission, Govt. of India, were also read out by the DMDs - Shri Goverdhan Singh Rawat and Dr. Ajay K Sood, CVO - Shri U. Dinesh Shanbhag and other senior officers.
• Capacity Building Programs – CVD in collaboration with National Bank Staff College, Lucknow, organized Pan-India Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) by conducting Refresher Courses via virtual sessions on Conduct of Rules, Ethics and Governance, Cyber Hygiene and Security, Procurement Policies and Systems and Procedures of the Organization. CVO also took sessions during VAW 2024 campaign period.
• Conduct of various competitions such as Slogan-writing, Extempore Elocution, Singing, Thematic Quiz, Drawing, etc. were held at HO as well as ROs/TEs.
• Outreach Activities – To spread awareness about Preventive Vigilance throughout the nation, several outreach activities were conducted, including Gram Sabhas, Seminars/Workshops in schools and colleges.
• During the period (28.10.2024 to 15.11.2024), messages were sent through SMS to all NABARD staff (pan-India) emphasizing the importance of vigilance and integrity in the professional as well as personal sphere.

A few photos of various activities conducted during VAW 2024

Walkathon

Singing Competition

Integrity Pledge taking event

Competition for Group ‘C’ Staff

Gram Sabha at Berasia, Bhopal

Press Clipping

Complaints, if any, may be sent to the following address or to the Officer-In-Charge of Regional offices/training establishments through post/e-mail/fax.

Contact Information

Shri U Dinesh Shanbhag