In terms of the provisions conferred in PlDPl Resolution, 2004, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is the Designated Agency to receive written complaints or disclosure of any allegation of corruption or of misuse of office by any employee of the central government or of any corporation established by or under any central Act, government companies, societies or local authorities owned and controlled by the central government from whistle blowers. CVC is fulfilling its mandate as given under various provisions of PIDPI Resolution, 2004.

The WhistleBlowers Protection Act, 2014(No.17of2014) has been notified on 12^th May, 2014. In terms of provision of sub-section (3) ofsection1 of the Act, the provisions of the Act shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. No such notification has been made by the Government for the reason that the Act requires amendments aimed at safeguarding against disclosures affecting sovereignty and integrity of India, Security of the State, etc., before it is brought into force.

To make these amendments to the Act, the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department had been consulted for views and concurrence on the proposal for amending the WhistleBlowers Protection Act,2014. Upon receiving the concurrence of these departments and approval by the Cabinet, the government introduced the WhistleBlowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha on 11th May, 2015 which was passed by the Lok Sabha on13thMay, 2015 and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha. The Bill has since lapsed upon the dissolution of the Sixteenth Lok Sabha.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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NKR/KS

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