:: Dilip Cherian

Makeover jitters

By Dilip Cherian

Aug 30 : The much-maligned Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is trying a makeover for the umpteenth time. Certainly, it has set itself an ambitious goal. At the recent biennial conference of CBI and state anti-corruption bureaus, CBI chief Ashwini Kumar announced that henceforth its sleuths would complete all investigations within one year. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh exhorted the gathered officials to aggressively go after the "big fish".

And to show the government means business, Dr Singh announced setting up of 71 dedicated CBI courts across the country to expedite proceedings in cases involving the CBI. Mr Kumar joined the chorus and cited the "weak criminal justice system" as the reason behind "more than 9,000 cases chargesheeted" by his agency that are pending in the courts. In fact, all the right noises to make in a formal setting. The real test of the agency’s new resolve, babu-watchers say, will be when Mr Kumar and his sleuths begin to implement their grand plan.

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Diplomatic gains

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) has always been a sort of poor cousin of the Central civil services, but that may be changing. While the privileged Indian Administrative Service (IAS) remains the first choice of civil service aspirants, the foreign service has crept past Indian Police Service to the second spot. Apparently, 10 out of the top 100 rankers now opt for the foreign service, preferring it even over the IAS. Although it may be too early to predict whether the trend is here to stay, it does indicate that diplomacy is becoming an attractive career option again.

The IAS, of course, was and remains the top draw due to the privilege of power it bestows on hopefuls. But the new fascination for diplomacy has bridged that gulf somewhat. In the past four years, the IFS has become a favourite even among women. Out of the 84 recruits in the IFS between 2005-2008, 24 were women officers. Now with most top rankers opting to join the IFS, we can expect a gradual change.

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CIC will answer

The Chief Information Commission (CIC) has at last decided to take accountability to the next level. CIC Wajahat Habibullah has finally allowed public access to complaints recorded against the information commissioners.

Mr Habibullah’s decision, in the wake of pending right to information (RTI) plea against an information commissioner, A.N. Tiwari, is being seen as a sort of win for RTI activists who have long demanded certified copies of complaints against information commissioners and action taken against them. Until now the commission denied it maintained any such record.

Mr Habibullah, however, added that the CIC has no authority to take action on complaints against the commissioners. Still, it’s a step towards ensuring more transparency and accountability in the functioning of our public institutions.