CVC, CBI chiefs meet PM over Lok Pal

The heads of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss various issues related to the proposed Lok Pal Bill.

Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and CBI Director AP Singh are understood to have raised concerns over the present form of the proposed anti-corruption Bill and sought its redressal.

Sources, privy to the development, said that Kumar had objected to the proposed inclusion of 'Group C' employees comprising clerical staff under the CVC ambit.

"The CVC directly advises action in vigilance matters related to Group A and B employees. Whereas, it supervises the proceedings by concerned departments in matters related to employees under Group C and D.

"The group C employees are overall supervision of the Commission. The proposals to have their direct control will require more manpower and official resources. The Commission in its present form may have difficulty in dealing with it," a source said.

Kumar is understood to have proposed widening the scope of work of the Commission to the Prime Minister.

Sources said that there may be conflict of interest between CVC and Lok Pal as both will have powers to probe any complaints of corruption involving Central government officials including those working in banks and public sectors.

"There has to be a proper division of work between the CVC and the Lok Pal. The powers of two bodies should not be made contradictory to hamper probe in corruption cases," the official said.

Whereas, the country's premier investigating agency has expressed unhappiness over many issues related to the Lok Pal saying many of the clauses would severely impair the functioning of the investigating agency.