Hyderabad: Whoever is in power, the style in the appointment for key constitutional positions is recursive. It’s always a show of conceited political circus. There has been widespread resentment in the recent appointment of heads for CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) and Central Information Commission (CIC) and it is claimed that the process of appointments is replete with irregularities. Consequent to the exit of KV Chaudhury on completion of his tenure, the position of Chief Vigilance Commissioner has been vacant since June 9, 2019. It is only recently that Sanjay Kothari who has been functioning as the Secretary to President of India until now has been appointed to the post. Further, the appointment of Bimal Julka as CIC, subsequent to the completion of the tenure by Sudhir Bhargav was also a recent affair. The Selection Committee, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister has finalized these selections. Though the Prime Minister has directed to hand over the final list to the leader of the opposition for perusal, it was not done.
Setting aside the objections of Congress Leader, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, the Centre through a majority decision has gone ahead with the appointments. Genuine doubts are cropping up as to what purpose will such selection procedures serve when the government’s ‘diktat’ is the final word. Last year, around this time, even in the appointment of Rishi Kumar as the new Director of CBI, questions were raised that a person who is not well-versed with the process of enquiring into corruption cases has been selected.
Instead of scouting for honest and straight forward persons who would elevate the dignity of the position, other factors are over-bearing. With such petty objections, the process for selections is getting ridiculed. Though the Supreme Court itself has interfered and infused inspiration in such matters, the political system has not changed its style of functioning, thereby eclipsing the constitutional bodies.
Ever since, corruption has begun to be viewed as political wisdom, the degeneration of institutions has been alarming. BJP’s veteran, LK Advani lamented in 2012 that if one has the blessings of ruling party, they could sneak into a key constitutional positions which is leading to nepotism and to political maneuvers. We all know as to how controversial the appointment of Naveen Chawla to the position of Election Commission had become during the UPA rule. The then CEC, Gopala Swamy, in his letter to President of India, has forwarded the incidents of nepotistic misdeeds of Naveen Chawla, including leaking the secrets of Nirvachan Sadan due to his nexus with the ruling party. Keeping this in view, Advani suggested that a collegium headed by the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Union Law Minister, Leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha should elect the Chief Election Commissioner, thereby the opposition also gets a role in the process. Further, the appointment of PJ Thomas as Chief Vigilance Commissioner by Manmohan government and subsequently its defence in Supreme Court stood out as a stigma to the government. UPA government had to eat the humble pie with the Supreme Court’s ruling in the CVC appointment. Even the leader of the opposition, Sushma Swaraj was agreeable to either of the two members in the panel as Palmolein Case was still pending against Thomas. Even though Supreme Court has laid down clear cut eligibility standards and impeccable moral values, the governments have not given them credence.
Election Commission, Central Vigilance Commission, CAG, Central Information Commission, CBI – all these are key organisations for people’s welfare. Except, Nirvachan Sadan, the rest are all meant to root out corruption and safeguard public interest. Had these organisations been working under the direction of honest persons who do not succumb to pressures, India would not have found a place in the list of 'corrupt countries'.
Ranjit Sinha, as the director of CBI, has earlier tried to influence the cases that were under trial in Supreme Court by indulging in shameless acts. Recently, Alok Verma and Asthana’s mutual accusations have ridiculed the organization itself. In the context of Supreme Court’s orders to fill all the vacancies in the Central and State level Information Commissions within three months, hectic efforts are being made to view these commissions as rehabilitation centres for their favourites. Even though six years have lapsed since the institution of Lok Pal , not empowering it with prosecution powers, is leading to frustration. The Supreme Court has suggested a key item in October 2018 for instituting independent machinery to appoint Election Commissioners. The comment of Law Commission that it may not be possible to make appointments unanimously and as such, vacancies would never be filled. It clearly reflects the poisonous culture that has crept deep into national ethos. It is only when we adapt the policies of America, Russia, Germany, Japan in running impartial investigative bodies, the respect for such bodies would enhance in India too.
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