Parliament panel suggests integration of CVC, CBI with Lokpal

A parliamentary panel on Monday recommended integration of the CVC and the CBI with the institution of Lokpal.

"Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be fully integrated with the Lokpal and the institution of anti-corruption watchdog be architecturally created vertically with the Lokpal at the apex level and CVC and anti- corruption wing of CBI fully integrated with it and working under its control," the recommendation said.

The suggestion was made by the parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public grievances, law and justice in its 77th report on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

The committee, which submitted its report to parliament, was of the view that the post of director of enquiry in the CVC can be utilised by the Lokpal.

"Director of Enquiry available in the CVC would serve as the director of enquiry of Lokpal and there is no need for the creation of a separate post of director of enquiry in the Lokpal," the panel headed by E.M.S. Natchiappan said in one of its recommendations.

The committee also recommended that the post of director of prosecution should be upgraded to the level of a secretary with a fixed tenure.

It favoured the existing provisions for the declaration of assets and liabilities by public servants, recommending that a public servant should furnish declaration of assets and liabilities of his or her dependents, including spouse, children, father and mother.

The committee recommended that the secretary to the Lokpal should be of the rank and status of the secretary to the government of India so that he is not influenced by his seniors or colleagues from the civil services and is able to function independently.