CVC: PM accepts responsibility in Parliament

Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh on Monday accepted the responsibility for appointment of PJ Thomas as CVC in Parliament.

There has been an error of judgement in CVC appointment and I accept full responsibility for it, said the Prime Minister in Lok Sabha. The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). "We accept and respect the decision of the Supreme Court annulling appointment of PJ Thomas as CVC," PM said. The apex court observed that Thomas is a person who is tainted as he was an accused in the palmoline export scam in Kerala. The Supreme Court said that the high-powered committee's recommendation on appointment of Thomas "does not exist in law". The committee, for whatsoever reason, failed to consider relevant material recommending action against Thomas, the court observed. The court also rejected the Central Government's contention that vigilance clearance given by the CVC in 2008 was the basis for empanelment of Thomas as a candidate for the post of CVC. The court also rejected the Government's argument that the CVC's appointment was not under the jurisdiction of the court and added that future appointments to the post should not be restricted to civil servants alone; that people of impeccable integrity from other fields should be considered as well.