Lokpal, CVC, CIC appointments in due course: Jitendra Singh

Rejecting charge of any deliberate delay, Union minister Jitendra Singh today said the appointments in Lokpal, CVC and CIC will happen in due course of time.

He said the government was committed to strengthen CBI and ensure its independence and smooth functioning.

"Government is committee to strengthen the institution of CBI to ensure its independence and smooth functioning. CBI is an independent organisation and it works within its own norms," he told PTI in an interview.

On the appointment of CVC, Singh said there is no deliberate, cautious or otherwise delay. The process has already started and appointments will happen in due course, he said.

The Minister of State for Personnel said there was a litigation in the Supreme Court on the appointments of Central Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners in the CVC.

There was a litigation filed in the Supreme Court, which was not at the behest of the Department of Personnel and Training, and there was a direction that an advertisement has to be put out so we followed that very seriously and we had to give time margin for that, he said.

"Even there is a direction that the process has to be kept in knowledge of the apex court so that has possibly led to some delay. But the process is certainly moving and appointment will happen," Singh said, adding the same is the case with the appointments in Central Information Commission (CIC).

Both CVC and CIC are working without their chiefs for over four months. Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and Vigilance Commissioner completed their term on September 28 and September 7, last year, respectively.
The CVC is headed by a Central Vigilance Commissioner and has two Vigilance Commissioners. Rajiv, a former Director General of Central Industrial Security Force, is acting as interim chief of the transparency watchdog.

Chief Information Commissioner Rajiv Mathur has completed his tenure on August 22, 2014.

Singh said the appointment of chairperson and members of Lokpal will happen soon after a report is received from a Parliamentary Committee which is examining certain amendments in the anti-corruption law.

"The government after it took over in its wisdom thought that there were some amendments which could be brought in to improve the effectiveness, transparency and also smoother functioning of the Lokpal Act.

"In due regard and respect of the democratic norms it was brought in to the Lok Sabha. There was brief discussion on it. But some of the members felt that these amendments in the Bill need to be sent to the select committee. We thought we should not push it and we referred it to the standing committee. Now we are awaiting its report. If possible we will introduce it in the next session," he said.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas and other related law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 8 last year. It has been referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice headed by Rajya Sabha member E M Sudarsana Natchiappan.

The amendment Bill seeks to make enabling provision for inclusion of the leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha as a member of the selection panel to make recommendations to the President for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal.

It aims to provide for appropriate eligibility conditions for appointment to the post of the Director of Prosecution for the sake of functional independence of that institution.

The erstwhile UPA government could not go ahead with the setting up of Lokpal due to BJP's objection to the selection procedure.