Govt sets the ball rolling for appointing new CVC

NEW DELHI: A month after the removal of controversial P J Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), the government today set the ball rolling for appointing a new person as the head of the top anti-corruption watchdog by writing to all Ministries, Departments and PSUs to suggest names for it.

The action came after the Prime Minister's Office approved the guidelines prepared for appointing CVC following a Supreme Court directive.

"We have sent a letter to all Ministries, Departments and PSUs asking them to suggest names for the CVC," Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training Alka Sirohi said.

The move was necessitated after the Supreme Court had last month quashed the appointment of Thomas as CVC since he was facing corruption case.

Sources said a new CVC is expected to take charge within a month after completion of all formalities and clearance by the high-powered committee comprising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.