Vinod Rai calls for independence for CVC, CBI, others

Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai today said key government bodies such as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and even the proposed Lokpal needed to be given constitutional backing to allow their independent and effective functioning.

''We have remarkable example of Lokpal... He will have to be guaranteed constitutional authority to function independently. CBI is not independent of executive. CVC is another much feared, much maligned, but still a statutory body. If you really want them to deliver you must take the risk and courage to make them Constitutional bodies,'' Rai said at a session on Inclusive Governance at the World Economic Forum today.

The CAG, which is independent of the executive cannot be removed by the government after its appointment for a period of six years. After demitting office, the CAG is not eligible for any further employment with the government, while heads of others bodies can be removed by the government.

Pitching for the introducton of an element of transparency in the functioning of corporates too, he said the onus to bring about the change was not on the government also but also citizens, citizen groups and media. Admitting that corruption could not be completely eradicated, he said cronyism and nepotism could be brought down.

''Why do we leave it to the government alone to introduce probity, transparency, accountability? Citizen groups must empower themselves and ensure that government officials live in glass houses and the transparency applies to private sector too,'' Rai said.

He said both bureaucrats and politicians today were aware of the fact that for every decision they took, the could be held accountable. He admitted the brazenness with which decisions were being taken was appalling, a change was happening.