Govt proposes multi-member vigilance panel

NEW DELHI, JUNE 24: As per the Supreme Court ruling on autonomy of investigative agencies, the Government has decided to give statutory stat...

NEW DELHI, JUNE 24: As per the Supreme Court ruling on autonomy of investigative agencies, the Government has decided to give statutory status to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner but with a twist. The draft statute, which is pending with the law ministry, proposes that the Central Vigilance Commission be a multi-member body which will select the heads of the investigating agencies, including the chiefs of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.

Minister of State for Personnel K M Janarthanam told The Indian Express that the Cabinet has sent the proposal to the law ministry for preparing the bill, which may take anything between six-seven months. 8220;There were several suggestions on the constitution of the commission, such as making it a multi-member body, including members of the judiciary in the CVC, the procedure for supervising the cases of the CBI and the ED. The powers and functions of the CVC will also have to redefined in the light of the judgement,8221; he said.

According to the Minister, thesuggestions and the proposal to be sent to the law ministry were finalised in April at a meeting which was attended by the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Law Minister and Government solicitors.

On the issue of resignation of present CVC S V Giri, the Minister said that the Government was still 8220;considering his resignation and till then he continues to officiate as the CVC.8221; According to the Minister, despite the Government having announced the formation of a board consisting of the CVC, the home secretary and the secretary personnel for the selection of the CBI director, the present director will continue till the statute is passed. He also denied that there was any shortlisting of officers as prospective CBI directors.

According to sources, the draft statute proposes a four-member body. The members will be selected by a three-member committee of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the leader of the Opposition, from a panel approved by the Cabinet Secretary. 8220;But though the job of the CVC would besupervising the work of various investigating agencies, no investigating machinery for the Commission has been assigned,8221; said a senior official associated with the drafting of the statute.

Drafting the statute is not the only hiccup in the way of implementation of the judgement. Yet another reason for the delay has been the move to upgrade the post of Director, Enforcement, to the rank of Special Secretary. The proposal, which was initiated only a few days ago, is yet to be approved by the Cabinet and is being interpreted as a move to ease out the present director who is due to be promoted to the rank of Additional Secretary in a few months.

Incidentally, the judgement had recommended upgrading of the post of Director, ED, either to the rank of Additional Secretary or to that of Special Secretary. Janarthanam, who is also holding additional charge of Revenue and Banking, however, declined to say 8220;anything definitive8221; on it.