Supreme Court notice to Centre for appointing CVC on line of Lokpal

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre on a petition for making the appointment of Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)and Vigilance Commissioners (VCs) more transparent by seeking applications through public advertisement on the lines of Lokpal. A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha sought response from the government on the plea for fixing minimum knowledge and experience in vigilance matters as essential criteria for appointment of CVC and VCs.

The bench asked the Centre to file its response within four weeks on the petition filed by Delhi-based NGO Centre for Integrity, Governance and Training in Vigilance. Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, appearing for the petitioner, also contended that for appointment for CVC and VCs be done by unanimity by a committee comprising the Pime Minister, Home Minister and Leader of Opposition instead of by majority. "In contrast to the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 with that of the provisions of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, it will be seen that no mechanism has been provided for selecting a CVC and two VCs. No advertisement is issued calling for the applications.

"It is not known how empanelling is done for making appointment of CVC and two VCs. The entire process of making selection and appointment is not transparent," the petition said. It said in fact the Centre ought to have similar procedure for making appointment of CVC and VCs as is being done in the case of filling up one post of Chairperson and 8 posts of Members in the Lokpal under the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.