Rohatgi panel submits report on Lokpal
14 Aug 2014 6:07 AM IST
The committee, headed by Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi, to empower Lokpal search panel has submitted its report to the Centre on Wednesday.
The Lokpal search panel and amendments of its rules was earlier notified during the UPA regime. Then they had hurriedly formed an eight-member search committee comprising retired Justice K T Thomas (as chairperson) and seven other members, which include F S Nariman. But both Thomas and Nariman had refused to be part of the search panel.
As per existing rule, the search panel is bound to choose its members from the panel as suggested by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). However, now the government is likely to empower the search committee to — also — include people from outside the list to be provided by the DoPT for consideration by the selection committee. The committee was formed to look into changes in the rules of the search panel, mandated to recommend names for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal. Sources said, ‘The report has been submitted and it is under examination of the government.’ The government will go ahead with appointments of Lokpal only after the amendments are carried out in the rules, they said.
The validity of Lokpal search committee’s rules has been challenged before the Supreme Court also. During the course of hearing, the government had informed the court that it would re-examine the issue and make formal amendments to the rules.
The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries.
The Lokpal search panel and amendments of its rules was earlier notified during the UPA regime. Then they had hurriedly formed an eight-member search committee comprising retired Justice K T Thomas (as chairperson) and seven other members, which include F S Nariman. But both Thomas and Nariman had refused to be part of the search panel.
As per existing rule, the search panel is bound to choose its members from the panel as suggested by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). However, now the government is likely to empower the search committee to — also — include people from outside the list to be provided by the DoPT for consideration by the selection committee. The committee was formed to look into changes in the rules of the search panel, mandated to recommend names for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal. Sources said, ‘The report has been submitted and it is under examination of the government.’ The government will go ahead with appointments of Lokpal only after the amendments are carried out in the rules, they said.
The validity of Lokpal search committee’s rules has been challenged before the Supreme Court also. During the course of hearing, the government had informed the court that it would re-examine the issue and make formal amendments to the rules.
The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries.
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