Lokpal selection to be reviewed

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court  that it will re-examine the contentious issues on selection of the Lokpal and was ready to make final amendments in the rules before proceeding with the process of appointment of the national ombudsman.

“With regard to rule 10 clause (1) and 10 clause (4), Solicitor General (Mohan Parasaran) submits to re-examine the issue and make final amendments in the rules and then proceed further with the matter,” a bench headed by Chief Justice R.M. Lodha said in the order.

The bench, also comprising justices Madan B. Lokur and Kurian Joseph, passed the order after taking the consent of the solicitor general that it was taking on record his statement that “the selection process shall not commence on existing rules.”

The bench observed that the matter like this, if stalled, will not be good. It also said that  the government will have to evolve procedure which is “transparent” and that the rules have to be in consonance with the statutory provisions.

The SC noted that four months have gone by since the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was passed and still nothing has been done.

Mr Parasaran assured the SC that the Centre will amend the procedure and start the process of selection. The SC also wanted to know how will the  Centre achieve the objective of transparency that is the question.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO, Common Cause, submitted that the government cannot proceed on the basis of rule 10 clause (1) and 10 clause (4). Rule 10 (1) provides that the search committee shall prepare a panel of persons to be considered by the selection committee for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal, from among the list of persons provided by the centre.