Extend Tenure: The Union Government on Monday issued a gazette notification informing about the extension of service of the nation's Defence Secretary, Home Secretary as well as Director of Intelligence Bureau and Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Previously, a decision was taken to extend the tenure of Directors of CBI and ED from two years to five years.
According to the notification issued, if deemed necessary in the public interest, the Union Government can extend the services of the Defense Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence, and Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). This extension of service would be supported by a written explanation. According to the new rule, the service extension will not be for more than two years.
In 2005, the Union Government had fixed the tenure of these Secretaries and Directors to two years. On Sunday, President Ram Nath Kovind approved two ordinances allowing the Union government to extend the tenure of directors of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) from two years to five years. According to the ordinances, the tenure of heads of India's top agencies can be extended yearly for three years after they complete their two-year term.
Meanwhile, the opposition is attacking the Union Government for this ordinance allowing extension of the tenure of CBI and ED Directors. The Trinamool Congress moved a statutory resolution in the Rajya Sabha in the winter session in the matter, while the Congress has claimed that the Union Government is trying to control these institutions.