Lokpal Wheels Finally Turning? Personnel Ministry Issues Advertisement For Posts Of Chairman, Members

The Union government has invited applications for the chairman and members of anti-corruption authority Lokpal, Business Standard has reported. The personnel ministry has issued an advertisement seeking applications from desired and eligible candidates.

According to the report, any person who is or has been Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge is eligible to apply for the appointment as the chairman.

Besides, individuals with “impeccable integrity and outstanding ability” having special knowledge and expertise of not less than 25 years in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and banking, and law and management will also be eligible to apply. However, a minimum age-limit of 45 year is required for an individual to apply.

As per the rules, the Lokpal has a provision for a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, four of whom need to be members of judiciary.

"Not less than 50 per cent of the members of the Lokpal shall be from amongst the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women," the advertisement seeking the applications reads.

Once selected, the chairperson and the members of the body shall hold office for a term of five years or till they attain 70 years of age.

As per the report, salary and allowances of the Lokpal chairman will be same as the CJI while the members will be paid similar to a judge of the Supreme Court. The last date for application for the post is 22 February.