The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has overhauled the vigilance setup, taking away the power of vigilance officers posted at 22 telecom circles to undertake vigilance clearance for field officials. In a recent notification, DoT has informed that vigilance clearance for field officials, which was earlier being handled by respective vigilance officers, will now be undertaken in its headquarters through the SancharVHR portal with the inputs provided by the concerned administrative unit. Therefore, no vigilance clearance will be given by any field unit with immediate effect.
Additionally, four additional directors have been appointed in the vigilance wing, including three from Indian Telecommunications Service (ITS) and one from Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS). As per the notification, the chief vigilance officer (CVO) may assign investigations or any other work to any of these directors. Any complaint received in the field will be transferred to CVO for further decision. However, the CVO may seek the assistance of officers in the field units on a need basis, for preventive vigilance or investigation.
