New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday assured the Supreme Court that it is not going to take any immediate decision on the appointment of Lokpal. The top court was hearing a PIL challenging the selection process for appointment of Lokpal.
The apex court has now agreed to hear the PIL on May 5.
The Ministry of Personnel had in January this year put out an advertisement in newspapers calling for applications from eligible candidates for chairperson and eight members of Lokpal by February 7.
Following this, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley questioned its legality and asked the government to withdraw it. The Prime Minister rejected Jaitley's contention and said that the advertisement was within the prescribed rules notified recently by the government.
Of the advertised posts for members in the Lokpal, four are for judicial and the remaining for non-judicial. The PM-led selection committee has as members Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him and an eminent jurist, who could be nominated by the President or any of the members.
The chairperson and members shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of the selection committee.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries.
President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill on January 1 this year. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2013, and by the Lok Sabha the next day.
With additional information from PTI
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