Lokpal chief, members appointment likely by this month-end

The chairperson and members of anti-corruption body Lokpal may be appointed by this month-end as government has decided not to withdraw the advertisement seeking nominations for these posts despite a demand from BJP.

Government will not withdraw advertisement and accept applications for Lokpal till Friday, the last date for receiving nominations, a senior official of Ministry of Personnel said.

The advertisement was put out following all procedures. After scrutiny, the names of shortlisted candidates will be put up before selection committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, "The selection may be completed by this month-end," the official said.

The Ministry of Personnel had last month put out an advertisement in newspapers calling applications from eligible candidates for chairperson and eight members of Lokpal by February 7.

Following this, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley questioned its legality and asked the government to withdraw it.

The Prime Minister rejected Jaitley's contention and said that the advertisement was within the prescribed rules notified recently by the government.

"May I, at the outset, assure you that the advertisement issued in this regard is strictly in terms of the provisions of the (Lokpal) Act and the rules framed thereunder," Singh had said in his letter to Jaitley.