Thursday, April 21 2005 21:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A Parliamentary committee has recommended empowering CBI with a legislation to probe all offences like under Central laws like Prevention of Corruption Act, Income Tax, central customs and excise in any part the country without waiting for State Governments' consent.

The committee in its fifth report placed in Rajya Sabha takes note of the fact that under existing Delhi Police Special Establishment Act, procedural nuances involved in obtaining the consent of the State for probe within its jurisdiction caused inordinate delays.

"In case of withdrawal of consent by the concerned State Government due to some reason or the other, investigation takes a back seat," it said.

The Committee, therefore, "recommends that CBI should be empowered by a suitable legislation to investigate all offences under the Central laws like Prevention of Corruption Act, Income Tax Act, Central Customs and Excise Act in any part of the country after obtaining the concurrence of the Central Government," the report said.

"The committee observes that all these years, the CBI has been able to maintain its reputation of a premier agency of the country functioning with credibility and impartiality," the Parliamentary committee report said.

"However, dependence of the executive wing of the State for both financial and administrative matters impinges upon its role as an independent investigating agency, the report added.

"The committee, therefore, recommends that the possibility of promulgating a separate act for CBI in tune with the requirement of the time, rather than deriving its powers from DPSE Act, may be examined by the Government," said.

The Committee is chaired by E M Sudarsana Natchiappan.