Lokpal Bill: the key points(bit old clippings..21/12/111VT)

Lokpal Bill: the key points

CNN-IBN

New Delhi: As the government is set to table the much awaited Lokpal Bill in Parliament on Thursday, here's more on how the Lokpal will be appointed and what it is going to be all about as CNN-IBN has accessed the government's Lokpal draft.

The Lokpal will be a nine-member constitutional body.

A former Chief Justice of India, a retired Supreme Court judge or an eminent personality will be the Chairperson of the Lokpal.

A panel including the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice of India and an eminent jurist will choose the Lokpal and its members.

There is up to 50 per cent reservation in the Lokpal for SC/ STs, OBCs, minorities and women. Five out of the nine Lokpal seats are reserved.

The Prime Minister will come under the Lokpal's ambit, but with various safeguards. His decisions on matters of national security will be out of the Lokpal ambit.

The government has kept the investigating agency CBI out of the Lokpal ambit and the Lokpal will have no investigation powers. The administrative control of the CBI remains with the government. The CBI will report to the Lokpal on probes ordered by the Lokpal himself. But the Lokpal cannot order probes on its own without receiving a complaint. A panel consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Oppn and the Chief Justice of India will choose the CBI director.

Group C and D employees will be covered by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The Lokpal will have appellate powers.

The NGOs getting government and international funds will be within the Lokpal's ambit.

The process to remove the Lokpal or its members can be initiated if at least 100 MPs back it.