Govt clarifies stand on Lokpal selection

 The government has told the Supreme Court that it will have no role in inviting application from sitting judges for appointment as the Lokpal.

The Centre maintained that it would merely render assistance as may be required by the search committee. 

According to the new rules under the Lokpal Act, the search committee will recommend names to the selection panel, headed by the prime minister.

 The panel will also include the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by him, and an eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India on the basis of recommendations of the first four members.

In an affidavit, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said the contention by NGO Common Cause in a PIL that the government inviting applications from judges will compromise with the independence of the judiciary has now been addressed with  changes in the rules.