NEW DELHI: In a first of its kind decision, the NDA Government on Monday appointed a non-IAS cadre retired officer as the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
Kosaraju Veeraiah Chowdary, a former Indian Revenue Service officer who had served as chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), would now don the role of CVC.
The Centre also made another significant appointment by elevating Vijai Sharma, the seniormost Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission, as the Chief Information Commissioner. He is a 1974 batch UP cadre IAS officer.
The two key positions were lying vacant for over nine months and the Centre had recently drawn flak from the Opposition for not filling them. Two other appointments were also made -- T M Bhasin was named Vigilance Commissioner and Sudhir Bhargava Information Commissioner. Express had earlier reported that there was a consensus over Chowdary’s appointment at the selection panel meeting on June 1. A 1978 batch IRS officer, Chowdary had retired as CBDT chief in October last and was later appointed as adviser to the SIT probing into black money case.
Chowdary had also served as Director General (Investigations) in Delhi and he headed several probes, including 2G spectrum and HSBC black money, during his tenure. On the other hand, Sharma served as Secretary in the Ministry of Environment. Post-retirement, he became a Member (Expert) in the National Green Tribunal. New Vigilance Commissioner T M Bhasin is the chairman and managing director of Indian Bank. He earlier served as an executive director of United Bank of India.
PM’s CVC Choice Irks jethmalani
New Delhi: Expressing anguish at the appointment of K V Chowdary as the new CVC, Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani on Monday posted his letter on a social networking site stating, “My breakup with the Prime Minister.” In his letter to Modi, Jethmalani said, “My diminishing respect for you ends today.” SC lawyer Prashant Bhushan too opposed his appointment over his alleged involvement in various cases.
