The Union government has extended the tenures of Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for the period of two years. A gazette notification to the effect was issued by the government on Monday.

“The Central Govt may, if it considers necessary, give extension in service to Defence Secy, Home Secy, IB Director, Secy of R&AW for such periods as it may deem proper on a case to case basis, subject to the condition that the total term does not exceed 2 years,” Department of Personnel and Training said.

The extension of tenure comes interestingly at a time when a massive war-of-words has broken out over the Centre’s decision to move an ordinance extending the tenure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Director (ED) to five years. 

Ordinance to increase tenures of CBI, ED directors ‘attempt to destroy democracy’: Opposition

The opposition has been up in arms against the move and has alleged that the decision is an attempt to ‘destroy democratic institutions’ in the country. 

“Parliament session is going to start after two weeks and before that, the decision to extend the tenure of the heads of CBI and ED through an ordinance raises doubts about the intention of the government. The ordinance has been brought by the government on November 14, which is the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister and the strongest pillar of democracy. This is the government’s intention to undermine democracy and destroy democratic institutions,” Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha told news agency ANI.

It may be noted that President Ram Nath Kovind has already given his assent to the ordinance. Currently, the tenures of the CBI and ED directors are appointed for two years under the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, 2003. The government is expected to table a law in Parliament.