Jammu, July 29: After years of inordinate delay, the selection committee for appointment of chairman and members of defunct State Accountability Commission (SAC) is all set to meet on Saturday evening in the summer capital Srinagar after it was cancelled at last movement, earlier this month.
Informed sources said the selection panel meeting may follow another round of deliberations between the alliance partners National Conference and Congress as the Coalition Coordination Committee, is also expected to meet Saturday to discuss the probable names for the highest anti-graft body in corruption ridden Jammu and Kashmir.
The selection panel, which will recommend the names of chairman and members of SAC to governor, is headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and comprises of Chief Justice of the State High Court Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Law Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar and Leader of the Opposition, Mehbooba Mufti.
The former Chief Justices and judges under consideration as SAC head include Justice Bashir Ahmad Khan, Justice VK Gupta, Justice Bilal Nazki, Justice SK Gupta, Justice Yash Paul Nargotra, Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, Rattan Chand Gandhi and Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain,
Speculations were also rife that Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakroo is also being considered by the panel though he is still in office and is due to retire in next few months.
When contacted leader of opposition and president Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti confirmed the invitation and said she will be attending the meeting.
“Yes, I have received the invitation and will be attending the meeting. Selection of SAC head is long-pending issue and matter of concern for everyone”, she said.
Sources said the selection panel will meet at 6:30 pm to deliberate on appointments to SAC, which is headless since 2006, when its acting chairman Justice (rtd) R P Sethi stepped down.
As per Section 4 of the Accountability Act, the chairperson and the members are to be appointed by the Governor after obtaining recommendations of the selection committee.
Pertinent to mention that SAC was constituted under the J&K Accountability Commission Act-2002 to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries and for matters connected therewith.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST