No timeline can be fixed for Lokpal appointments: Govt

Government today made it clear that no "specific time frame" can be fixed for making appointments in the anti-corruption body, Lokpal, due to petitions pending in the Supreme Court and various High Courts challenging various provisions of the Lokpal Act.
Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that the Centre had notified rules relating to the Search Committee for Lokpal in January this year. But soon after, writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the rules.
He said on May 5 this year, the apex court was informed that the Centre will re-examine the issue and make formal amendments in the rules and only then proceed further. The amended rules related to the Search Committee were notified on August 27.

Singh said that a number of writ petitions have also been filed in various High Courts challenging certain provisions of the Act and the Search Committee Rules.
"Government has filed applications before the SC for transfer of these writ petitions to the Supreme Court so as to get authoritative pronouncements on all these issues, so that institution of Lokpal can be made functional at the earliest.
"Under the circumstances, no specific timeline has been fixed for making appointments in the Lokpal," he said.