CVC issue: Centre may initiate action against officer

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Facing scrutiny from theSupreme Court over the selection of P J Thomas as CVC, theCentre may initiate action against an officer who allegedlydid not bring to the notice of selection committee that arequest for prosecution sanction of him was pending with thegovernment.

Official sources claimed that prior to the appointmentof Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, it was notbrought to the notice of the selection committee that arequest for prosecution sanction of him was pending with theDepartment of Personnel and Training.

The committee, comprising Prime Minister ManmohanSingh, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader of Opposition inLok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, has not been informed about theissue, they said.

Besides, since Thomas'' appointment till date, therewas complete change of guard in the DoPT and a new Minister aswell as a new Secretary took charge.

Then DoPT Minister Prithviraj Chavan was replaced by VNaranyanswamy and then Secretary Santanu Consul was succeededby Alaka Sirohi. Even the concerned Joint Secretary went outof the Department during a routine transfer.

Sources said the government may now takeadministrative action against the concerned officer who wasreponsisble for preparing the note on Thomas which waspresented before the selection committee.