After a long 46-year wait, India finally has a lokpal-All you want to know about Lokpal Bill
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Sonia Gandhi|Meira Kumar|Lokpal Bill|lokpal|Lok Sabha
Anna Hajare supporters applaud the passing of Lokpal Bill in Patna on December 18, 2013. (TOI photo by Pramod Sharma)
NEW DELHI: After a 46-year wait, India is set to get a lokpal after the Lok Sabha on Wednesday took barely an hour to pass the landmark legislation to create a powerful anti-corruption ombudsman amid sustained disruptions by anti-Telangana MPs.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi introduced a note of urgency in the proceedings right at the start, crisply asking law minister Kapil Sibal to "keep it short" as he referred to prolonged discussions that preceded the bill.
Disturbances in the House seem to weigh on Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar who guillotined the debate and swiftly put amendments to the Lokpal bill passed by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday to vote and declared the legislation as passed.
After eight failed attempts to pass a Lokpal Bill in the past, Parliament finally gave its seal of approval to a powerful ombudsman. The bill has been drafted and redrafted by two parliamentary committees and now enjoys strong bi-partisan support.
The lokpal will be empowered to investigate complaints of graft against the highest political authority, including the Prime Minister and his cabinet, and will be able to supervise the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at every stage of a probe.
Samajwadi Party (SP) and Shiv Sena opposed the bill while Biju Janata Dal (BJD) walked out in protest over not being given an opportunity to speak on the bill although the Odisha outfit said it was in support of the Lokpal Bill.
The vote in Lok Sabha completes the process of parliamentary approval and the bill will now be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for notification after which the selection process for the eight-member lokpal will begin.
Despite a few digs at one another, BJP and Congress converged to push the Lokpal Bill through Parliament even as leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj made the point that the "real" credit went to Gandhian activist Anna Hazare.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in a brief speech promised that the government is committed to passing no less than six pending anti-corruption legislations while the bill's chief detractor SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav vehemently opposed it.
The chaos in the House made meaningful discussion impossible and a tense parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath even got Sibal to put another legislation to vote, brushing aside the law minister's plea that "it is not my bill".
Speaking on the proposed legislation, Rahul said the country needed an "anti-corruption code'' and it was the 15th Lok Sabha's responsibility to pass legislations that are a part of a "comprehensive anti-corruption framework" of the UPA government.
Swaraj supported the measure but attacked the Congress for rushing to credit Rahul, saying "the people of this country and an old man (Anna Hazare) who has undertaken fast several times deserve the credit."
Earlier, the Speaker allowed the bill, as amended by the Upper House, to be laid and taken up for consideration by the Lok Sabha.
The bill was opposed by SP and Shiv Sena members who walked out to lodge their protest. Strongly criticizing both Congress and BJP, the SP chief said that all development work would grind to a halt. His concerns were echoed by JD(U)'s Sharad Yadav who supported the bill but expressed reservations on the contentious legislation.
A sigh of relief passed through the treasury benches after the bill was passed by voice vote and the House moved on to the next business.
Earlier when the Bill was taken up for discussion and passage, Trinamool Congress member Sougata Roy raised a point of order saying that the measure passed by the Rajya Sabha had been circulated among Lok Sabha members only today. He said that as per rules, a two-day notice should be given to members before taking up any legislation passed by the other House.
Disposing of his point of order, the Speaker said she had consented for waiving the two-day requirement and the bill was laid on the table of the House this morning itself.
Throughout the debate on the Lokpal Bill, supporters and opponents of Telangana continued raising slogans in the well.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi introduced a note of urgency in the proceedings right at the start, crisply asking law minister Kapil Sibal to "keep it short" as he referred to prolonged discussions that preceded the bill.
Disturbances in the House seem to weigh on Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar who guillotined the debate and swiftly put amendments to the Lokpal bill passed by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday to vote and declared the legislation as passed.
After eight failed attempts to pass a Lokpal Bill in the past, Parliament finally gave its seal of approval to a powerful ombudsman. The bill has been drafted and redrafted by two parliamentary committees and now enjoys strong bi-partisan support.
The lokpal will be empowered to investigate complaints of graft against the highest political authority, including the Prime Minister and his cabinet, and will be able to supervise the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at every stage of a probe.
Samajwadi Party (SP) and Shiv Sena opposed the bill while Biju Janata Dal (BJD) walked out in protest over not being given an opportunity to speak on the bill although the Odisha outfit said it was in support of the Lokpal Bill.
The vote in Lok Sabha completes the process of parliamentary approval and the bill will now be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for notification after which the selection process for the eight-member lokpal will begin.
Despite a few digs at one another, BJP and Congress converged to push the Lokpal Bill through Parliament even as leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj made the point that the "real" credit went to Gandhian activist Anna Hazare.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in a brief speech promised that the government is committed to passing no less than six pending anti-corruption legislations while the bill's chief detractor SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav vehemently opposed it.
The chaos in the House made meaningful discussion impossible and a tense parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath even got Sibal to put another legislation to vote, brushing aside the law minister's plea that "it is not my bill".
Speaking on the proposed legislation, Rahul said the country needed an "anti-corruption code'' and it was the 15th Lok Sabha's responsibility to pass legislations that are a part of a "comprehensive anti-corruption framework" of the UPA government.
Swaraj supported the measure but attacked the Congress for rushing to credit Rahul, saying "the people of this country and an old man (Anna Hazare) who has undertaken fast several times deserve the credit."
Earlier, the Speaker allowed the bill, as amended by the Upper House, to be laid and taken up for consideration by the Lok Sabha.
The bill was opposed by SP and Shiv Sena members who walked out to lodge their protest. Strongly criticizing both Congress and BJP, the SP chief said that all development work would grind to a halt. His concerns were echoed by JD(U)'s Sharad Yadav who supported the bill but expressed reservations on the contentious legislation.
A sigh of relief passed through the treasury benches after the bill was passed by voice vote and the House moved on to the next business.
Earlier when the Bill was taken up for discussion and passage, Trinamool Congress member Sougata Roy raised a point of order saying that the measure passed by the Rajya Sabha had been circulated among Lok Sabha members only today. He said that as per rules, a two-day notice should be given to members before taking up any legislation passed by the other House.
Disposing of his point of order, the Speaker said she had consented for waiving the two-day requirement and the bill was laid on the table of the House this morning itself.
Throughout the debate on the Lokpal Bill, supporters and opponents of Telangana continued raising slogans in the well.
All you want to know about Lokpal Bill
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Lokpal Bill|Jan Lokpal Bill|Central Bureau of Investigation|Anna Hazare
Anna Hazare began his first fast at Jantar Mantar in April 2011 demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal bill drafted by his team
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Wednesday passed the crucial Lokpal Bill
with the Lok Sabha adopting the measure as amended by the Rajya Sabha
after a short discussion. Following are the salient features of the
amended Lokpal Bill.
1. Lokayuktas: The new bill mandates states to set up Lokayuktas within 365 days. States have the freedom to determine the nature and type of Lokayukta.
The old bill said the law shall be applicable to states only if they give consent to its application.
The old bill gave power to the central government to appoint state Lokayuktas while the new draft gives this power to the states.
2. Constitution of Lokpal: The Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial members. Fifty percent members of Lokpal shall be from among SC, ST, OBCs, minorities and women.
The older version said the chairperson shall be the Chief Justice of India or a present or former judge of the Supreme Court or a non-judicial member with specified qualifications (chief justice or a judge of a high court).
3. Selection of Lokpal: The selection committee will have Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. A fifth member of the selection committee for selection of Lokpal under the category of "eminent jurist" may be nominated by the President on the basis of recommendation of the first four members of the selection committee.
In the old bill, selection of the fifth person was left entirely to the President.
4. Religious bodies and trust: The new bill includes societies and trusts that collect public money, receive funding from foreign sources, and have an income level above a certain threshold, it excludes bodies creating endowments for or performing religious or charitable functions.
The old bill expanded definition of public servant by bringing societies and trusts which receive donations from the public (over a specified annual income) and, organisations which receive foreign donations (over Rs 10 lakh a year) within the purview of the Lokpal.
5. Prosecution: In the new version, before taking a decision on filing a chargesheet in a case upon consideration of the investigation report, the Lokpal may authorise its own prosecution wing or the concerned investigating agency to initiate prosecution in special courts.
Under the old bill, prosecution of the case could be done only by the prosecution wing of the Lokpal.
6. Central Bureau of Investigation: For independence of the CBI, in the new bill a directorate of prosecution will be formed. Appointment of the director of prosecution will be on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal will be only with the approval of Lokpal who will also have superintendence over CBI in relation to Lokpal referred cases.
7. Hearing: The new bill says a government servant will get a hearing before a decision is taken by the Lokpal.
8. Prime Minister: The Prime Minister will be under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister.
9. Investigation: Inquiry has to be completed within 60 days and investigation to be completed within six months. Lokpal shall order an investigation only after hearing the public servant.
Inquiry against the prime minister has to be held in-camera and approved by two-thirds of the full bench of the Lokpal.
10. Penalty: False and frivolous complaints - imprisonment up to one year and a fine of up to Rs.1 lakh. Public servants - imprisonment up to seven years. Criminal misconduct and habitually abetting corruption - jail term up to 10 years.
Lokpal's journey to transparency
1966
Morarji Desai led First Administrative Reforms Commission recommends setting up of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta in states to look into complaints against public functionaries, including MPs
1968-2001
Successive governments introduce Lokpal bill eight times
2002
Justice MN Venkatachaliah led Constitution Review Commission stresses the need for Lokpal and Lokayuktas
2004
UPA-I's national common minimum programme promises that Lokpal bill would be enacted
2005
Veerappa Moily led Second Administrative Reforms Commission reiterates that Lokpal be established without delay
2011
Jan: UPA-II's GoM headed by Pranab Mukherjee suggests a range of anti-corruption measures, including the Lokpal bill
Apr 5: Anna Hazare begins his first fast at Jantar Mantar demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal bill drafted by his team
Apr 9: Anna ends fast as the government forms a joint drafting committee consisting of ministers and civil society members
Jun 21: The last meeting of the drafting committee ends with the two sides coming up with separate drafts
Aug 4: Govt introduces a Lokpal bill, widely attacked as fl awed
Aug 8: Bill referred to standing committee
Aug 16: Anna launches second fast for Jan Lokpal bill
Dec 22: Govt re-introduces Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill
Dec 27: Lok Sabha passes bill
Dec 29: Introduced in Rajya Sabha
2012
Re-introduced in Rajya Sabha. Referred to select committee
2013
Dec 10: Anna Hazare begins fast in his village in Maharashtra, demanding urgent introduction of a new anti-corruption law
Dec 13: Amended bill tabled in Rajya Sabha
Dec 18: Lok Sabha passes the ammended bill. Anna Hazare breaks his fast.
1. Lokayuktas: The new bill mandates states to set up Lokayuktas within 365 days. States have the freedom to determine the nature and type of Lokayukta.
The old bill said the law shall be applicable to states only if they give consent to its application.
The old bill gave power to the central government to appoint state Lokayuktas while the new draft gives this power to the states.
2. Constitution of Lokpal: The Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial members. Fifty percent members of Lokpal shall be from among SC, ST, OBCs, minorities and women.
The older version said the chairperson shall be the Chief Justice of India or a present or former judge of the Supreme Court or a non-judicial member with specified qualifications (chief justice or a judge of a high court).
3. Selection of Lokpal: The selection committee will have Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. A fifth member of the selection committee for selection of Lokpal under the category of "eminent jurist" may be nominated by the President on the basis of recommendation of the first four members of the selection committee.
In the old bill, selection of the fifth person was left entirely to the President.
4. Religious bodies and trust: The new bill includes societies and trusts that collect public money, receive funding from foreign sources, and have an income level above a certain threshold, it excludes bodies creating endowments for or performing religious or charitable functions.
The old bill expanded definition of public servant by bringing societies and trusts which receive donations from the public (over a specified annual income) and, organisations which receive foreign donations (over Rs 10 lakh a year) within the purview of the Lokpal.
5. Prosecution: In the new version, before taking a decision on filing a chargesheet in a case upon consideration of the investigation report, the Lokpal may authorise its own prosecution wing or the concerned investigating agency to initiate prosecution in special courts.
Under the old bill, prosecution of the case could be done only by the prosecution wing of the Lokpal.
6. Central Bureau of Investigation: For independence of the CBI, in the new bill a directorate of prosecution will be formed. Appointment of the director of prosecution will be on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
Transfer of officers of CBI investigating cases referred by Lokpal will be only with the approval of Lokpal who will also have superintendence over CBI in relation to Lokpal referred cases.
7. Hearing: The new bill says a government servant will get a hearing before a decision is taken by the Lokpal.
8. Prime Minister: The Prime Minister will be under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister.
9. Investigation: Inquiry has to be completed within 60 days and investigation to be completed within six months. Lokpal shall order an investigation only after hearing the public servant.
Inquiry against the prime minister has to be held in-camera and approved by two-thirds of the full bench of the Lokpal.
10. Penalty: False and frivolous complaints - imprisonment up to one year and a fine of up to Rs.1 lakh. Public servants - imprisonment up to seven years. Criminal misconduct and habitually abetting corruption - jail term up to 10 years.
Lokpal's journey to transparency
1966
Morarji Desai led First Administrative Reforms Commission recommends setting up of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta in states to look into complaints against public functionaries, including MPs
1968-2001
Successive governments introduce Lokpal bill eight times
2002
Justice MN Venkatachaliah led Constitution Review Commission stresses the need for Lokpal and Lokayuktas
2004
UPA-I's national common minimum programme promises that Lokpal bill would be enacted
2005
Veerappa Moily led Second Administrative Reforms Commission reiterates that Lokpal be established without delay
2011
Jan: UPA-II's GoM headed by Pranab Mukherjee suggests a range of anti-corruption measures, including the Lokpal bill
Apr 5: Anna Hazare begins his first fast at Jantar Mantar demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal bill drafted by his team
Apr 9: Anna ends fast as the government forms a joint drafting committee consisting of ministers and civil society members
Jun 21: The last meeting of the drafting committee ends with the two sides coming up with separate drafts
Aug 4: Govt introduces a Lokpal bill, widely attacked as fl awed
Aug 8: Bill referred to standing committee
Aug 16: Anna launches second fast for Jan Lokpal bill
Dec 22: Govt re-introduces Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill
Dec 27: Lok Sabha passes bill
Dec 29: Introduced in Rajya Sabha
2012
Re-introduced in Rajya Sabha. Referred to select committee
2013
Dec 10: Anna Hazare begins fast in his village in Maharashtra, demanding urgent introduction of a new anti-corruption law
Dec 13: Amended bill tabled in Rajya Sabha
Dec 18: Lok Sabha passes the ammended bill. Anna Hazare breaks his fast.
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