The government did not provide copies of letters or communication sent to or received from individuals accepting or rejecting its offer to be on the Lokpal Search Committee.
"It is stated that concerned file is under submission and is not readily available. Copy of the relevant papers will be furnished to you as soon as the file becomes available," the DoPT said in reply to the RTI query.
As per rules, the Prime Minister-led Selection Committee for Lokpal shall constitute a Search Committee consisting of seven members and a chairperson.
The Search Committee is mandated to prepare a panel of persons to be considered by the Selection Committee for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal.
The Selection Committee has as members the Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist who could be nominated by the President or any other member.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act provides for establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries. The Centre had already got nominations from various individuals for becoming its chairperson and members.
The main opposition BJP had objected to the government's move to constitute Lokpal and demanded that such a decision should be put on hold.
A Public Interest Litigating (PIL) was also filed in the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the entire selection process of appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal.
Putting to rest the controversy, the government informed the apex court last week that it will not take any immediate decision on the appointment of chairperson and members of the anti-corruption body.
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