S C questions Centre over lack of transparency in CVC appointment
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Thursday sought Centre’s response to a plea seeking to broaden the zone of consideration for the appointment of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and making the entire process transparent.The apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha, asked the government to respond by October 9.
Asking the Centre to expedite the process for appointments to key posts, the apex court said that
transparency should be the hallmark of selection procedure and people across should be allowed to apply for the post and not only bureaucrats.
Appearing on behalf of the Centre, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi assured the apex court that no final decision will be taken in the appointment of CVC till the matter is heard by the it.Noting the assurance by Rohatgi, the court directed the listing of the matter for final hearing October 14.
The Centre and the Supreme Court are at loggerheads over the appointments of Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Vigilance Commissioner.Raising questions on the manner in which the NDA government was going ahead with the appointment of CVC and a vigilance commissioner, the apex court had on Wednesday asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to “seriously examine” complaints that they were in violation of rules laid down by the apex court.
While the term of CVC Pradip Kumar ends on September 28, Vigilance Commissioner JM Garg retired on September 7. “What should we do? For us also it appears the government is restricting the appointment to one category of people (civil servants) where as the statute provides others. Anyway, you examine it and tell us on Thursday,” Chief Justice RM Lodha said to Attorney General.
