Parliamentary panel recommends `solid` statutory backing for CBI

New Delhi: Terming as "archaic" the existing legislation governing CBI, a Parliamentary panel on Friday suggested enactment of a separate law or amendment in the present act for the investigating agency to give it more statutory backing.

The Committee, in its report tabled in Parliament, has said the archaic Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1947 governing CBI was "grossly inadequate" and asked the Ministry of Personnel to either make changes in it or enact a new law. "The Committee reiterates its recommendation made in its 56th report that in the event of enacting a fresh statute for CBI not found to be feasible, requisite amendments may be made in the DSPE Act," it said in the report tabled today in Parliament. The Committee in its earlier report on demands for grants had recommended a legislation on the lines of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 so that the CBI can probe corruption cases throughout the country without the states` consent. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its report expressed unhappiness over large number of vacancies in the CBI and suggested the investigating agency to have its own cadre of officials to fill up such vacant posts. As many as 831 posts at different levels were lying vacant in the CBI, according to a data updated till December 31, 2012. The total sanctioned strength of CBI is 6,586. The vacancies existed in the ranks of Special or Additional Director, Joint Director, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Superintendent of Police, Additional Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Inspector, Sub- Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector and Head Constable. The posts of 54 Law Officers and 94 Technical Officers at various levels were also lying vacant. PTI