A CVO heads the Vigilance Division of an Organization and acts as an advisor to the Chief Executive in all matters pertaining to Vigilance. He is also the Nodal Officer of the Organization for interaction with CVC and CBI. Vigilance functions to be performed by the CVO are of wide sweep and include collection intelligence about the corrupt practices, committed, or likely to be committed by the employees of his Organization; investigating or causing and investigation to be made into allegations reported to him; processing investigation reports for further consideration of the disciplinary authority concerned; referring the matters to the Commission for advice wherever necessary; taking steps to prevent improper practices and commission of misconducts, etc. Thus, the CVO’s functions can broadly be divided into three categories, as under:

(i) Preventive vigilance

(ii) Punitive vigilance

(iii) Surveillance and detection

While ‘punitive action’ for commission of misconduct and other malpractices is certainly important, ‘surveillance’ and ‘preventive measures’ to be taken by the CVO are comparatively more important as these are likely to reduce the occurrence of vigilance cases. Thus, the role of CVO should be predominantly preventive.