New Delhi: The government is scheduled to table the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha today. The main opposition party, the BJP, has already expressed grave reservations about certain key aspects of the bill.
Here are some of the highlights of the Lokpal Bill:
The 74-page Lokpal Bill has two parts: first part is a constitutional amendment bill - needs 2/3 majority - so government will need support of opposition parties
The 116th amendment seeks to give constitutional status to Lokpal - a new nine-member ombudsman agency that will receive complaints from the public about corrupt government servants and act on them
Part B seeks to create the institution of Lokpal and Lokayuktas, who will serve as anti-corruption agencies in states. A simple majority is required to pass this part of the bill
Even before the bill is tabled, the government has decided on an amendment - to bring back the minority quota for the nine members of the Lokpal. This means that the 50% reservation will extend to Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SCs/STs), women, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and minorities. The constitution does not allow for reservation on the basis of religion. So to get the amendment approved, a two-third majority is needed. The BJP is unlikely to support the amendment. Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav insist on it.
The Lokpal will be accountable to the Parliament
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will not be controlled administratively by Lokpal. Government will continue to decide its budget, transfers and postings of officials
Lokpal cannot initiate proceedings against an officer on its own; a complaint has to be lodged with the ombudsman before it orders an inquiry
The Director of CBI to be chosen by panel of PM, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India. Team Anna wants the Chief Justice to be replaced by the Lokpal chief
No sanction is required for prosecution of public servants
No separation of prosecution and investigative wings of CBI, as was earlier suggested by some parties
CBI will report to Lokpal on cases referred to it by the ombudsman
Lokpal has the right to conduct preliminary inquiry through an inquiry wing, made up of police officers
Lokpal can refer cases to other agencies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/lokpal-bill-some-highlights-159978&cp
Here are some of the highlights of the Lokpal Bill:
The 74-page Lokpal Bill has two parts: first part is a constitutional amendment bill - needs 2/3 majority - so government will need support of opposition parties
The 116th amendment seeks to give constitutional status to Lokpal - a new nine-member ombudsman agency that will receive complaints from the public about corrupt government servants and act on them
Part B seeks to create the institution of Lokpal and Lokayuktas, who will serve as anti-corruption agencies in states. A simple majority is required to pass this part of the bill
Even before the bill is tabled, the government has decided on an amendment - to bring back the minority quota for the nine members of the Lokpal. This means that the 50% reservation will extend to Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SCs/STs), women, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and minorities. The constitution does not allow for reservation on the basis of religion. So to get the amendment approved, a two-third majority is needed. The BJP is unlikely to support the amendment. Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav insist on it.
The Lokpal will be accountable to the Parliament
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will not be controlled administratively by Lokpal. Government will continue to decide its budget, transfers and postings of officials
Lokpal cannot initiate proceedings against an officer on its own; a complaint has to be lodged with the ombudsman before it orders an inquiry
The Director of CBI to be chosen by panel of PM, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India. Team Anna wants the Chief Justice to be replaced by the Lokpal chief
No sanction is required for prosecution of public servants
No separation of prosecution and investigative wings of CBI, as was earlier suggested by some parties
CBI will report to Lokpal on cases referred to it by the ombudsman
Lokpal has the right to conduct preliminary inquiry through an inquiry wing, made up of police officers
Lokpal can refer cases to other agencies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/lokpal-bill-some-highlights-159978&cp
