Anyone applying for CVC needs recommendation of GoI Secys

The new guidelines, approved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to appoint the CVC, mandated all secretaries of the Central government to nominate any person, including people from any field other than civil servant, to be become head of the anti-corruption watchdog.

The government has set the ball rolling for choosing CVC by asking all secretaries of the government to recommend names and send them to the Secretary, Department of Personnel by April 15.

While quashing the appointment of P J Thomas as CVC, the Supreme Court said that in future appointments to CVC's post should not be restricted to civil servants alone and that people of impeccable integrity from other fields should be considered.

The guidelines said that the CVC will have a four year term or retire at the age of 65, whichever is earlier. But, the person should have a tenure of three years. So, anyone, below 62 years of age can apply for the post.

Any person who had retired as secretary of the government of India and anyone who had retired as chairman or chairman-cum-managing director or managing director of any Schedule I PSU are eligible of the post, according to the new guideline prepared following the Supreme Court directive.

Apart from retired civil servant, anyone having expertise in finance (insurance and banking), law, vigilance investigation is also eligible for the post.

However, the candidates must have impeccable integrity throughout their professional career.

Issuing the guidelines for future appointment to the CVC's post, the Supreme Court said the empanelment must be done by an officer of the rank of Secretary and all the material must be placed before the High Powered Committee headed by Prime Minister Singh.

Sources said a new CVC is expected to take charge within a month after completion of all formalities and clearance by the High-Powered Committee comprising the prime minister, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.

The Supreme Court had struck down the appointment of Thomas holding that the recommendation by the high-powered committee headed by the prime minister is "non est" (does not exist) in law.

The government had appointed Thomas as CVC despite dissension by Swaraj who was one of the three members in the high-powered committee.