CBI chief for independent federal agency status

“The CBI can do nothing if a state withdrews its consent for investigation. The US and Pakistan have amended their laws to allow the FBI and FIA, their respective investigating agencies, to take up cases suo motu,” he said.

The matter figured in the Chief Ministers’ conference and the government’s effort is always to make this organisation autonomous, said Mishra, whose tenure as CBI chief ends a month from now. The other constraints the CBI faced pertained to staff shortage and infrastructure, Mishra said.

The CBI had moved the government to increase the quota of direct recruits and make the ratio 60:40 in their favour from the present system under which 50 per cent of investigating officers belonged to the state cadre.

“We are facing shortage of staff at the lower level in the post of inspectors and DSPs who form the backbone of the organisation,’’ he said.

Mishra said CBI had recommended to the government for change in recruitment rules, providing extra allowance to CBI officers on deputation and creation of infrastructure and accomodation for them.

The government was thinking of providing 25 per cent extra salary to officers coming to cbi on deputation.

More number of cases pertaining to special crime, economic and cyber offences were being handed over to the agency for investigation by the courts on a daily basis, he said.

‘‘The gamut of activity of CBI is no longer confined to anti-corruption and major financial crimes are now given to the organisation.’’