SC questions lack of transparency in appointment of CVC

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday questioned Centre on lack of transparency in the appointment of chief vigilance commissioner and vigilance commissioner.

The top court had on Wednesday asked the Centre to respond to allegations that efforts were underway to appoint the central vigilance commissioner (CVC) through a non-transparent procedure that severely restricted the zone of consideration.

Questioning the method adopted by the government, the Supreme Court said there could not be uniformity when Cabinet secretary and 36 other secretaries were individually doing the shortlisting to reduce the number of candidates in zone of consideration from 120 to 20.

“Transparency is hallmark of selection procedure and people across should be allowed to apply for the post and not only bureaucrats,” the apex court said.”Government did not want to advertise for the post as it would lead to a deluge of applications,” the AG said.

Attorney general assured the apex court that no final decision will be taken in the appointment of CVC till SC decides the legality of the process of shortlisting of candidates for the post.

The court has posted the matter for final hearing on October 14.