Cabinet to take up issue of CBI autonomy

The Union Cabinet will take up the issue of autonomy to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday.

The Cabinet will take up recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) that was set up to examine the issue.

The GoM's recommendations may not be made public on Thursday since they are part of the government's affidavit to the Supreme Court.

According to the GOM, the following recommendations have reportedly been made:

The CBI Director in future is to be appointed through a collegium which will include the Leader of Opposition.

A panel of retired judges will also be set up to look into complaints against the CBI.

An approval committee will also be set up to look into complaints made against government officers above a certain rank.

The CVC will be part of this approval committee.

The Union Cabinet is also expected to decide on the pricing for gas and and the Coal Bill.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry wants to move towards aligning the price of gas with market rates.

The proposal has met with stiff opposition both within government i.e. from the power and fertilizer ministries and outside the government from the CPI.

As for coal, the Cabinet will also consider the Draft Bill for setting up a Coal Regulatory Authority.