Question : SECURITY FOR WHISTLE BLOWERS

(a) whether the Government is aware that people who expose graft face threat to life or face harassment;

(b) if so, whether the Government has authorised Chief Vigilance Officers of respective Ministries/Departments to take a decision on providing security to whistle blowers and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has laid down any detailed procedure/notified rules in this regard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the effective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide safety and security to the whistle blowers and if not, the reasons therefor?

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) to (d) : The Government of India vide Resolution dated 21.04.2004 on Public Interest Disclosure & Protection of Informers had authorized the Central Vigilance Commission as the Designated Agency to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office and recommend appropriate action. The Government has now vide amendment Resolution dated 14.08.2013 also authorized the Chief Vigilance Officers of the Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government as the Designated Authority to receive written complaint or disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office in respect of any employee of that Ministry/ Department or any organization falling under their jurisdiction. If the Designated Authority in the Ministries/ Departments, either on the application of the complainant, or on the basis of the information gathered, is of the opinion that the complainant needs protection, the Designated Authority shall take up the matter with the Central Vigilance Commission, for issuing appropriate directions to the authorities concerned.

The Commission, after receipt of such reference from the Designated Authority, takes up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Nodal Agency, to undertake the responsibility of providing security cover to the genuine Whistle Blowers. The Home Ministry, in turn, asks individual State Governments to examine the threat and provide security cover, if needed. On the advice of Ministry of Home Affairs, State Governments have appointed Nodal officers in respective states and detail about Nodal officers nominated by various State Governments has been communicated to the Commission for referring the matters to them.