ED, 2 other agencies on a search for chiefs

With just two days to go before the term of Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Mishra ends, the central government is yet to call a meeting of the panel led by the Central Vigilance Commissioner to appoint the next chief of the premier investigation agency

- Prawesh Lama

However, ED isn't the only body that's waiting for a new boss - the Special Protection Group (SPG) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are also waiting for new chiefs.

While there has been much speculation about Mishra taking on a key role in the government that will allow him to continue to oversee money laundering cases, the officer himself has said that he will lead a retired life starting this weekend. However, before he leaves office, he is likely to make his recommendation for the next ED director. According to sectio 25 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, a panel comprising the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), two vigilance commissioners, and secretaries of home, finance, and department of secretary of personnel will deliberate on nominees for the next chief.

The committee "shall, in consultation with the Director of Enforcement, recommend officers for appointment to the posts above the level of the Deputy Director of Enforcement and also recommend the extension or curtailment of the tenure of such officers in the Directorate of Enforcement", the Act says.

While there are some front-runners for the job from the Indian Revenue Service (the traditional pool service the draw from), the government could pull a surprise. For instance, former ED director Karnal Singh was a police officer. "No one knows who the government will appoint. CBDT chairperson Nitin Gupta and members Praveen Kumar, both IRS officers from the 1986 and 1987 batch, look like obvious choices.