Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Jul 2: Defence secretary Pradeep Kumar has been selected as the new central vigilance commissioner, sources said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, opposition leader Sushma Swaraj and home minster P Chidambaram reportedly held discussions at the PM's reisdence before unanimously selecting Kumar.
An IAS officer of the 1972 batch, Kumar will be retiring from his present post at the end of July.
Pradeep Kumar has been chosen from a list of 50 nominations, prepared by the department of personnel and training.
About four months ago, P J Thomas who had been appointed by the same committee was removed from the post after controversies brew up about his alleged corruption in palmolein case.
Pradeep Kumar has earlier served as disinvestment secretary and secretary, defence production.
Sushma Swaraj, who had opposed the appointment of Thomas, said that she was satisfied with the appointment of Kumar.