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In a move that could virtually ensure a bitter slug fest between the government and opposition and could well mar the winter session of parliament , the tenure of the Directors of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate can now be extended by up to three years after the mandated term of two years, according to two ordinances brought in by the government , reported PTI
In both cases, an extension of a year each for three years can be given to the Directors after clearance by the committees constituted for their appointments, according to the ordinances.
The Centre’s move, which drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court saying that extension of tenure of officers who have attained the age of superannuation should only be granted in rare and exceptional cases and for a short duration.
The apex court stated this in a matter related to the extension granted in 2020 to Enforcement Directorate chief SK Mishra, a 1984-batch IRS officer who is due to retire on November 17.
The opposition has all along cited that government has been using the agencies CBI and Ed to target the opposition leaders . The extension to CBI and ED chief’s will further escalate the tension.
The Congress, Trinamool Congress and Left parties accused the government of mocking Parliament and questioned its intention, asking why it did not wait for the upcoming winter session.
