Lokpal in present form doesn't address concerns: CBI

New Delhi: The Lokpal Bill in its present form "seriously compromises" CBI's autonomy of investigation and does not address its concerns, the agency told a Parliamentary panel on Friday.

The CBI also contended that multiplicty of authorities it has to report to has "greatly hampered" its functional and administrative autonomy and "thereby the effectiveness of CBI".

Appearing before the Rajya Sabha Select Committee examining the Lokpal Bill, CBI Director AP Singh said the measure in the present form does not deal at all with the issue of agency's dependence on government over financial and administrative matters.

In a detailed presentation before the Committee, CBI said one of the focal points of the Lokpal agitation was to give greater autonomy to the investigation agency. "As far as CBI is concerned, this does not seem to have happened. On the contrary, the agency's autonomy of investigation has been seriously compromised," CBI said in its presentation.

The agency said the dependence of CBI on the government in financial and administrative matters is both causative and reinforcing factor for the public perception that CBI can be influenced by the government and that the investigations are not immune to government's interference and pressure.

"The Lokpal Bill in its present form does not deal with this issue at all," the CBI told the panel.

CBI said after the creation of Lokpal, it will have to report to the new institution besides CVC, DoPT, Law Ministry and the MHA to which it already reports.

"The Lokpal Bill, 2011 does not propose anything substantial which could have provided for complete financial and administrative autonomy to CBI," the agency said.

CBI has proposed creation of a separate Demand for Grant for it from the Consolidated Fund of India. It said the CBI chief should be the 'grant controlling authority' and 'chief accounting authority' for the grant.

"The Director, CBI would exercise power of Secretary to Government of India as provided under the delegation of financial power rules, 1978," the presentation before the committee said.

It also said the CBI director should have "full authority" in appointment, extension and curtailment of tenure of officers upto the rank of DIG in the agency.

The agency also proposed that the CBI chief should be included as a member of selection committee for appointment of other officers above the rank of DIG in the department. The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act - which governs CBI - should be amended accordingly.

In a veiled reference to its differences with Law Officers, CBI said it should have powers to engage special counsels and specialists of different disciplines.

The CBI lamented that while the Lokpal Bill has proposed to raise the level of the selection of the CBI chief by a committee consisting of PM, Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India, no changes have been proposed on increasing the tenure of the Director.

It said instead of two years, the tenure should be increased to five years to ensure proper continuity and supervision of important cases and to help him implement "strategic vision" to improve the organisation.