Preventive Vigilance

Vigilance:- Vigilance means to be watchful to be alert what is happening and what can happen. There are traces of concept of vigilance in our olden literature like Atharva Veda. Originally, it was Henry Fayol who listed out awareness and security which was later referred as ‘Vigilance’. Importance of Vigilance :- Vigilance makes preparedness to be watchful always and sense the happening around oneself. People always have wrong approach towards vigilance as they perceive vigilance as enquiry, fixing responsibility etc.Vigilance is not investigation but it is prevention. To punish and not to prevent is like pumping the water through a pump without arresting the leakages which result in wastage of water, energy and time. Why do organizations need vigilance:- An organization protects itself from external dangers through creating security and posting manpower to guard against such threats. The role of vigilance is to protect organization from internal dangers which are more s erious than external threats.Responsibility of Employees in Vigilance Matters: Vigilance is not confined to a particular individual or set up. All public servants should be honest. They also have a responsibility towards the nation to help the organization to discharge vigilance functions effectively by bringing to the notice of organization about the activities of dishonest employees. Need for Preventive Vigilance Preventive vigilance plays an important role in strengthening the vigilance set up of any organization.There has been a wide spread realization that punitive vigilance alone cannot be the foundation of an efficient vigilance machinery. In punitive vigilance, the vigilance wing reacts to complaints or information of specific instances of mala fide action, verifies such information and then proceeds against the erring officials. On the other hand, the preventive vigilance sets up procedures and systems to restrain the acts of wrong doing and misconduct in the various areas of the functioning of the department.Preventive vigilance is thus more effective than punitive vigilance. It has several advantages: †¢It is global in its impact and affects the working of the department as a whole. †¢It is less costly and does not require elaborate specialized machinery like punitive vigilance. †¢It is impersonal and does not act as a fetter upon the rightful exercise of authority. †¢It is not directed against an individual. †¢It cannot be misused for vindictive purposes. Tools of Preventive Vigilance 1. Standardization:Laying down clear cut conditions/ procedures in order to reduce discretion and scope of granting undue favors. 2. Automation: The computerization’s of procedures help in reducing interface between officials and taxpayers. 3. Transparency: The taxpayers need to be educated about their rights and responsibilities. Transparency can also be extended to performing official functions in public view and across counter tops r ather than in covered enclosures. 4. Accountability: Accountability should extend to all levels and every person must be held accountable for his action or inaction.For decisions made with improper motives, penalty should be swift and decisive. 5. Control and supervision: The success of the above methods depends on effective control and supervision. Right persons should be put in key positions. The personnel policy should discourage long tenures in one post. 6. Conducive work environment This would involve focus on the following items: Appropriate logistical support including sanction of adequate funds †¢Adequate manpower †¢Meaningful and relevant job assignment Frequent, supportive and instructive interaction between supervisor and subordinates †¢Transparency in transfer and placement. †¢Institutional selection for foreign assignment, training and deputation. †¢Objective performance appraisal and formal recognition of competence. †¢Promotion of mutual trust. Role of individual to Fight against Corruption Individual person have a vital role in fight against Corruption. Every man can stop corruption, fist that individual must say stop to Pay & Take Bribe to anyone. Every man must be watchful abut what is going around and must complaint