NEW DELHI, DEC 23: The government has decided to refer the matter of implementing the Supreme Court verdict on autonomy for investigating agencies to a committee of secretaries. The committee, comprising Revenue Secretary N K Singh, Secretary (Personnel) Arvind Verma and Home Secretary B P Singh, will submit a report on the modalities of the follow-up action in a few days.

The committee will also recommend ``formal measures'' required for subsequent legislation as directed by the apex court. Today's decision came after the first formal meeting held by Prime Minister I K Gujral to discuss the fall-out of the SC order.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister P Chidamabaram, Prinicipal Secretary to the Prime Minister N N Vohra, Attorney General Ashok Desai and the three Secretaries.

The question of review or a partial review of the judgment was not discussed at the meeting . ``In fact, all that was emphasised was how the government has no choice but to implement the judgment,'' said an official.

The government is caught in a bind over several senior appointments, including those of the Central Vigilance Commissioner. Given the caretaker nature of the present government, it would be difficult to follow the procedure prescribed by the judgment since it involves consultation with the Leader of Opposition as well.