For the purposes of this Act,--
         (a) "departmental inquiry" means an inquiry held under and in accordance with--
             (i) any law made by Parliament or any rule made thereunder, or
             (ii) any rule made under the proviso to article 309, or continued under article 313, of the Constitution of India,
     into any allegation of lack of integrity against any person to whom this Act applies;
         (b) "inquiring authority" means an officer or authority appointed by the Central Government or by any officer or authority subordinate to that Government to hold a departmental inquiry and includes any officer or authority who is empowered by or under any law or rule for the time being in force to hold such inquiry;
         (c) "lack of integrity" includes bribery or corruption.