New Delhi (25.08.2023): The history of evolution of state suggests that governments came into existence only for performing a minimal role to maintain order and peace in society but with an increasingly complex framework of governance and administration in a political system like in India motivates and sometimes provokes the government for a new set of command and control model for better synergy.
The old idea of creating a new post of Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) to supervise and synergise investigating agencies like CBI, ED on the lines of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the National Security Advisor (NSA) has gathered momentum again. The idea of having a CIO had captured the imagination of who’s who of the New Delhi dispensation around Navaratra last year also.
The Centre’s relentless and undying faith in the outgoing ED Chief S K Mishra (IRS IT: 1984) has brought the topic to the fore again. Recent ruckus over extension, re-employment of Mishra has made it a testing ground for the government to exhibit its power and endurance ahead of Lok Sabha Polls 2024. If the idea fructifies, the outgoing ED chief Mishra would carve out an incumbency chart as the country’s first CIO supervising CBI, ED including others on the lines of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the National Security Advisor (NSA).
The way Supreme Court of India questioned extensions to him, the government appears to be looking for ways and means to have its complete say in such matters. Reportedly, the Centre assumes a CIO post imperative for better synergy between key investigating agencies. It is claimed that the new post will be in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
The post of CIO may be created before Mishra demits office on September 15, 2023. The ED will continue to function under the Department of Revenue of the Union Ministry of Finance and the CBI under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. But the new post may dilute the position of CBI director. Earlier the procedure for the appointment of the CBI director was instituted to prevent its misuse but with the creation of the new post that would also become infructuous and redundant.
A section of former civil servants and experts says that in such a situation, the matter once again may land up in the Supreme Court for its intervention and later at some stage, the SC may intervene to get the CIO appointed by a similar committee of the PM, CJI, LOP. In fact, the CBI is likely to become less important now. Instead, ED and Income tax will become the prime tools for achieving the goals and targets, some insiders feel.
It is also being talked about that besides CBI, the SC might at some stage ask for constituting a committee for the appointment of ED chief, CIO, CBDT chief and Revenue Secretary. But the government appears resolute with such decisions.
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