Concerned with instances of alleged irregularities in public sector banks, the Central Vigilance Commission has directed them to ensure timely rotation of officials working in sensitive posts to check corruption and avoid "vested interest".

The anti-corruption watchdog has also told the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of the banks to strictly comply with its orders and to furnish an action taken report in this regard every month.

It said that all CVOs were asked to identify the sensitive posts which were prone to corruption and to ensure that "officials posted on sensitive posts are rotated every two/three years to avoid vested interest".

The CVC noted that its earlier instructions in this regard were not being strictly followed which is a matter of "serious concern".

"The Commission would once again emphasise that periodical rotation of officials holding sensitive posts/jobs especially at senior levels need to be ensured," the Commission said in a recent directive to the CVOs of public sector banks.

"As such, officials should not be retained in the same place/position for unduly long periods in the guise of indispensability etc. by the Management of Public Sector Banks," it said while directing the banks to "specifically mention the action taken report indicating the number of officials rotated/transferred in the Bank in the monthly report of CVOs to the Commission".

The move assume significance as the CVC while dealing with a case pertaining to a public sector bank recently noticed that a high ranking official, who was associated with procurements etc, was posted in the department for an unduly long period which is against the spirit of the Commission's guidelines.

CVC officials said that its directive also stands for central government departments and public sector units.

According to the probity watchdog's latest monthly report for October 2011, major penalty was recommended against 53 officials of the public sector banks including Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank and Punjab National bank for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.