Introduction

Vigilance department has been incepted in Singareni Collieries Company Limited in May,1987. The important functions of Vigilance department are:

Preventive Vigilance

Vigilance department in SCCL conducts surprise checks, inspections in all the departments where ever and which ever are corruption prone. In such process, vigilance dept. verifies records, documents, files, systems belonging to purchase, finance, marketing and other departments. The objective of such preventive checks are –

-                      to assist management in sustaining integrity in employees.

-                      to plug loopholes, leakages, negligence in discharge of duties etc.

-                      to improve system procedures.

-                      to alert executives about vigilance management functions.

Punitive  Vigilance

 Preliminary enquiries:

      Preliminary enquiries are conducted basing on various complaints received by vigilance department and reports are submitted to the disciplinary authority (C&MD for executives ) through Director (PA&W) (who is Chief Vigilance Officer).

      Source of complaints:

      Complaints (i) endorsed by C&MD, Director (PA&W)/CVO, other Directors, Chiefs, Area GM’s etc. (ii) From unions (iii) from supplier (iv) from consumers (v) in News paper clippings (vi) Received directly by Vigilance department (vii) Notes in surprise inspections.

Vigilance department conducts indepth enquiries, where ever prima facie evidence is established in discrete enquiries and recommends punitive actions in cases of corruption, misappropriation, nepotism, moral turpitude and gross negligence leading to heavy losses etc.

Surveillance and surprise checkings

In all sensitive areas and focal points such as CHP’s, Mines, OCP’s, Check posts etc. vigilance dept. conducts surveillance and surprise checks to prevent pilferages, thefts, irregularities etc.

Reports

Detailed reports are submitted to Director (PA&W) & CVO, which shall be forwarded to C&MD basing on merits of the case. In case of NCWA employees, concerned area GM’s or Agents are disciplinary authority and in case of executives Chairman & MD is disciplinary authority.

Execution

All the complaints received in the vigilance department are carefully examined by Vigilance Officer / Chief GM (Vigilance) and endorsed for preliminary investigation to one of the officers, which ever are found to be suitable for vigilance enquiry. He guides them in their enquiry process from day to day. Also the progress of the investigations are monitored once in a month with all officers. All complaints worth verifying are computerised.

Reports are submitted by Vigilance Officer to Director (PA&W) & CVO. Director (PA&W) may forward the reports with his remarks to Disciplinary Authority or may collect additional information / comments from other Directors / Departmental Heads / Chiefs.

Method of Evaluation

Director (PA&W) & CVO monitors / reviews the system after detailed discussions with Vigilance Officer periodically.

Any other information

(a)       As the anonymous / pseudonymous complaints increased day by day, causing inconvenience to administration, a decision was taken to file all such complaints invariably (as per the guide lines given by CVC and AP Vigilance Commission ).

(b)       Complaints with full address of the complainant only are investigated by Vigilance department in detail. The name & address of the complainant are kept confidential. Notices to this effect were displayed during April,2001 and again August,2007 on notice boards of all mines and departments for necessary information and guidance. 

(c)        Reference to C&MD’s circular No. CMD/PS/K/220, dated 29.12.1997, Vigilance Officer is authorised to obtain statements from any employees of SCCL and take the files / documents material to his safe custody by acknowledgement. He can enter into any office / premises etc owned by the Company for the purpose of vigilance enquiry. He can sub-delegate the powers to any of his subordinate staff.