- 1972 Batch retired IAS and CAG Vinod Rai might have given sleepless nights to the government
umpteen times, but Rai is of some help to the UPA government when its
Attorney General GE Vahanwati dismissed an argument in Supreme Court
that “loyal” bureaucrats are being appointed as Information
Commissioners.
- The government’s top law officer referred to Rai’s
example when the SCI bench said it would be good if independent
person with legal background is appointed in the commission and “not
only the retired bureaucrats who are loyal to the government”.
- Rai
was secretary of financial services in North Block before becoming the
UPA’s nominee as CAG.
- While serving in finance ministry, Rai was
considered a loyal bureaucrat, but once he occupied the constitutional
post of CAG, he turned highly independent and took a bold
anti-government stand.
- Rai unleashed a number of reports including 2G
spectrum and coal block allocations, which were of highly critical of
the government.
- Vahanwati had to resort to Rai’s example when the
Supreme Court was hearing Centre’s plea seeking a review of its ruling
that people from judicial background should also be appointed as members
of the Central and state information commissions.
Note: This article could an important example to be quote in mains for both Public Administration and Indian polity for the questions related to the relevance of Independent and Constitutional post.