New Delhi:
After the controversy over the appointment of PJ Thomas as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, which forced the Prime Minister to admit an error of judgement, the government is now taking no chances.
For the appointment of a new CVC to replace PJ Thomas, the government is asking for the very best. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) will write to all ministries and Public Sector Undertakings for names of officers with an exemplary record and integrity.
The Personnel Secretary will then shortlist the names and put a panel before the High Powered Committee. The whole process is expected to be completed within a month.
The Supreme Court had, last week, declared Mr Thomas' appointment as CVC illegal. The court said that the PM's selection committee had not considered the relevant documents for his case, and that it had ignored earlier recommendations for action against him listed by the Department of Personnel and Training.
Mr Thomas was a senior bureaucrat in Kerala in the early 90s, when he allegedly pushed the government to allow the import of edible oil or palmolein. The deal ended up costing the government crores. Mr Thomas was charged with corruption in a criminal case, but because of the political sensitivities of those named with him, the case progressed in fits and starts, depending on which government was in power in Kerala. Mr Thomas enjoyed a series of promotions which saw him being deputed to the Centre.