Jammu, Feb 5: After clearing the name of former Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda for the coveted post of Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), the government Tuesday approved candidature of Dr RK Jerath for appointment as Commissioner of the state’s maiden Vigilance Commission.
Official sources said that Jerath shall be the lone Commissioner of the SVC as former Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), Muhammad Sayeed Khan has already withdrawn his candidature from the race.
“The file has been approved and sent to GAD, which will issue a formal order and letter of appointment to Khoda and Jerath”, sources told Greater Kashmir adding, that the two will be administered oath before they assume office.
If sources are to be believed the Commission will be made functional before the start of Budget Session of the state legislature. “Governor has to address joint session of the legislature on February 28 and government has incorporated the establishment of SVC as one of its achievements in Governor Address”, sources added.
With appointment of Jerath the Commission, they said will function with the Chief Commissioner and one Commissioner. “However, at the same time the process for appointment of another commissioner will be initiated”.
Besides, Jerath, name of MS Khan was, recommended by a selection panel, headed by the Chief Minister, to take over as member of SVC. However, the process got stalled following queries raised by the Raj Bhavan. Khan later withdrew his name from the panel on “personal reasons”.
It was reliably learnt that the government will now have to either start the process of formulating the list of probable candidates afresh or will consider the old panel, prepared by GAD.
“The panel of around 36 sitting and former senior officers of the state Government (eligible for the appointment) is still alive after it was forwarded to the Chief Minister by GAD,” sources said.
The GAD had carried a detailed exercise seeking nominations from the departments before the panel was forwarded to the selection committee.
Sources said that fresh exercise, if undertaken, may also include considering some more names which were not earlier forwarded by the GAD.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST