Pay for the investigations, if you want to have a CBI probe! This was suggested by a Parliamentary Standing Committee to the government keeping in mind the number of investigations being handed over to the already-burdened CBI.
"The committee is of the view that the expenses incurred by the agency in the investigation and prosecution of a case should be met by the concerned Department/Ministry," the report, submitted before Parliament last week, said.
The committee observed that such a system will ensure that the agency's work 'will not suffer on account of shortage of funds' and the results would be met within a time-limit.
The committee headed by E M Sudarsana Natchiappan in its report said the 'sad state of affairs' prevalent in cases being referred to the CBI is that this is done without granting 'adequate funds' required to meet the investigation and prosecution expenses.
It said the annual projections or estimates 'should be calculated' by the concerned ministries or departments as to how many cases are likely to arise which may be referred for investigation, by the agency so that 'separate budgetary head' should be provided for incurring such expenses.
Advocating 'same status' for the CBI director as that of his international counterparts such as the FBI, the committee said that he should "exercise powers and autonomy which are at par with those exercised by his counterparts".
"The committee recommends that more financial powers should be vested with the Director, CBI," the report said and observed that the lack of financial autonomy acts as a 'major hindrance' in the efficient working of the agency.