With lok Sabha polls to be announced on Wednesday, the UPA Government’s efforts to put in place a lokpal during its tenure is unlikely to fructify.
Sources said on Tuesday the government will not be able to move ahead on the appointment of the head of the anti-graft body though it can continue with its efforts to constitute a eight-member lokpal Search Committee.
The government has already faced a setback with former Supreme Court judge K T Thomas yesterday rejecting the offer to head the Search Committee, days after legal luminary Fali Nariman opted out of the panel.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has written to some people with expertise in matters related to anti-corruption, policy making, vigilance, finance and law among other fields to seek their approval to be members of the Search Committee, official sources said today.
As per rules, the Prime Minister-led Selection Committee shall constitute a Search Committee consisting of seven members and a chairperson.
At the same time, the sources said the government’s attempt to appoint a Chairperson and members of the anti-corruption body may not fructify before the expiry of its term due to announcement of the lok Sabha poll schedule by Election Commission tomorrow.
“The government will like to form Search Committee at the earliest. But, it may not go ahead with the selection of chairperson and members of lokpal once Model Code of Conduct comes into force after poll dates are announced,” a senior DoPT official said. Thomas, who was asked by the government to be on the search panel, said it was not worthwhile for him to head it. Earlier, Nariman had opted out of the panel.