In a first-of-its-kind move, the government gave a clear hint at making the CBI autonomous.
The Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal confirmed the move and said all the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) chaired by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram would be placed before the cabinet.
"We have decided and that is fundamental principle of the Constitution that there should be no interference of government or any other agency in the probe carried out CBI or any other agency. We are committed to that. We feel that there should be accountability along with autonomy," Sibal said.
It has been recommended that the CBI will be provided financial autonomy like that given to an agency like the CRPF. Sources reveal that there will be an element of accountability, but the CBI will not be answerable to the government.
The GoM constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on appropriate law being made to provide for the independence of CBI and its functional autonomy, as directed by the Supreme Court, concluded its hearing today and would place its recommendations before the Cabinet on June 27.
Once the cabinet clears changes proposed by the GoM, an affidavit would be submitted before the Supreme Court in this regard on July 6, before it hears the matter on July 10. Sibal also held over a one-and-a-half hour-long meeting with CBI director Ranjit Sinha to apprise him with the matter.
CBI sources said although the agency did not make an independent presentation, but its concerns were incorporate in the presentation made by DoPT.
Chaired by the finance minister, the GoM also includes External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy.
- With PTI inputs
Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/government-appoints-accountability-committee-shield-cbi-external-interferences-india-today/1/285138.html
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