Government to introduce lokpal bill in Parliament-August 03, 2011

Government to introduce lokpal bill in Parliament



(I HOPE THIS TIME IT SHOULD GET PASSED WITH THUMPING MAJORITY...BUT WITH INGREDIENTS OF "JANLOKPAL BILL"...AFTER ALL WHY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT ARE AFRAID OF "KEEPING PM AND JUDICIARY" UNDER ITS AMBIT WHEN WE KNOW ABOUT MANY CASES WHERE MEMBERS OF JUDICIARIES AND EVEN FORMER PM'S HAS/HAD DENT OR ALLEGATION WHICH HAS NOT TOTALLY PROVEN YET OF CORRUPTION CASES.I HAVE HEARD KIRAN BEDIJI SAYING CM,MCD,PANCHAYAT,CBI..AND MANY SUCH AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO OUT OF THIS GOVERNMENTS DRAFTED LOKPAL BILL??? ITS IMPORTANT TO FIGHT FINAL BATTLE ON PAPER FIRST AGAINST CORRUPTION.IF NOT TODAY THEN IT NEVER WILL IN FUTURE!!!...VT)

Press Trust Of India

New Delhi , August 03, 2011

A youth celebrates Anna Hazare's end to five-day fast over ...
The much hyped lokpal bill, which aims to set up an anti-corruption watchdog in the country, will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The lokpal bill seeks to keep the office of the Prime Minister outside the purview of the ombudsman during his term in office and also exclude
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higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament.

The lokpal, consisting of chairperson and eight members, half of them judicial, will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions. Persons with impeccable integrity, with 25 years of experience in administration who have dealt with corruption and vigilance, would also form part of the lokpal.

The institution would inquire into allegations of corruption in respect of the Prime Minister only after he demits office. Besides, it would take up corruption matters allegedly involving ministers, MPs, Group 'A' officers and others equivalent to this grade in any body, board, authority, corporation, trust, society or autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.

Every public servant will be made to declare his or her assets and liabilities. In case of default or misleading information, it will be presumed that the said public servant has acquired the assets through corrupt means.

The lokpal can also recommend transfer or suspension of public servants connected with allegations of corruption.

The lokpal would not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed.

The lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means.

At the same time, the bill provides for prosecution for false complaint. The punishment term would not be less than two years in jail. The prison term can extend up to five years.

A penalty ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh is also proposed on people found guilty of making false complaints. The public servant is also entitled for compensation.

The anti-corruption watchdog can also seek the assistance of the Centre and the state government in conducting inquiries.

It provides for a time limitation period of seven years from the date of taking cognisance of an offence. In the case of the Prime Minister, the limitation period will apply after he or she demits office.

The measure does not provide for constitution of Lokayukta as in states.

The expenses to run the institution would be borne out of the Consolidated Fund of India.

The government hopes that if the Standing Committee comes out with its recommendations on the bill by August-end, then it could go ahead with its passage.

The lokpal bill has had a long and chequered history. Legislations in the past had included the Prime Minister within the ambit of the bill only on a few occasions.

The National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution had in 2001 recommended that the Prime Minister be kept out of the lokpal's purview since he occupies a unique position and is the head of the entire governmental structure.

The Commission, headed by retired chief justice M N Venkatachaliah, had said that the Prime Minister as the symbol of stability and continuity of the regime should not be exposed to the risks of well-orchestrated attempts to malign his image and reputation.

The idea of lokpal emanated from the office of Ombudsman prevalent in Scandinavian countries.

The first legislative attempt at lokpal in India failed after the bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in the Rajya Sabha.

Subsequently, lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008.