Lokpal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The word Lokpal means an ombudsman in India. The word has been derived from the Hindi words "lok" (people) and "pal" (protector/caretaker). So the word Lokpal means 'protector of people'. The concept of Lokpal has been drawn up ostensibly to root out corruption at high places in the prevailing Indian polity.
Contents
[hide]

1 Lokpal Bill 2 History 3 Duties 4 Latest Development 5 Differences between Draft Lokpal Bill 2010 and Jan Lokpal Bill 6 See Also 7 References 8 External links

[edit]Lokpal

Bill

After 42 years, the Jan Lokpal Bill is still pending in India. The first Lokpal Bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in Rajya Sabha, subsequently, Lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, yet they were never passed and its pending.[1][2] The Lokpal Bill provides for filing complaints of corruption against the prime minister, other ministers, and MPs with the ombudsman. The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) while recommending the constitution of Lokpal was convinced that such an institution was justified not only for removing the sense of injustice from the minds of adversely affected citizens but also necessary to instill public confidence in the efficiency of administrative machinery. Following this, the Lokpal Bill was for the first time presented during the fourth Lok Sabha in 1968, and was passed there in 1969. However, while it was pending in the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha was dissolved, resulting the first death of the bill. The bill was revived in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989,

1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and most recently in 2008. Each time, after the bill was introduced to the house, it was referred to some committee for improvements - a joint committee of parliament, or a departmental standing committee of the Home Ministry - and before the government could take a final stand on the issue the house was dissolved. Several flaws have been cited in the recent draft of the Lokpal Bill.
[3]

Meanwhile the activists of India Against Corruption (IAC) have prepared a draft for

the bill called Jan Lokpal Bill.[2]

[edit]History

The basic idea of the Lok Pal is borrowed from the office of ombudsman, which has played an effective role in checking corruption and wrong-doing in Scandinavian and other nations. In early 1960s, mounting corruption in public administration set the winds blowing in favour of an Ombudsman in India too. The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) set up in 1966 recommended the constitution of a two-tier machinery - of a Lokpal at the Centre, and Lokayukt(a)s in the states.
[edit]Duties

Prime Minister or a House of Parliament to whom a Lokpal sends its report holds that the allegations of corruption made in a complaint against the Prime Minister, or a Minister or MP (present or past) have not been proved, "notwithstanding anything contained in any other law", "no prosecution shall lie on any complaint, report, information or otherwise and no court shall take cognisance of any offence on the basis of the same or substantially the same allegations." The Lokpal is empowered to give directions for deferring or suspending any ongoing police investigations in matters covered by the complaints made to it. There are many more gems of justice that deserve attention. Contradictory to the governments claim that the Lokpal would provide the common man with exemplary powers to censure his/her elected representative, every complainant, the governments common man, has to pay a fees and take full responsibility for leveling charges and in case the complaint is found to be baseless, to discourage the same common man, serious punitive action extending to two years in jail and Rs.50,000 in fine will be imposed on the complainant. Charges of corruption in the Indian legal system are not necessarily covered only under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 but also under many other Acts, but the Lokpal restricts its ambit to the cases under this Act.

Regarding the constitution of the Lokpal, the Chairman of the Lokpal shall be from among past or present chief justices of Supreme Court. But the other two members of the Lokpal may also be from those qualified to be judges of the Supreme Court. The loose end left here makes countless many from Indias entire judiciary eligible for the post including those who are also senior party politicians with legal background. Lokpal is highest institution in India to investigate corruption at higher places in Government. Creation of Lokpal institution is under process. Many previous attempt were unsuccessful due to lack of political support. This institution will cover all government ministers, officers at centre including Prime Minister (Under Debate).
[edit]Latest

Development

Anna Hazare, a rights activist, has started a fast until death to demand the passing of the bill. Government has responded positively with some minor changes in his demands. Gandhian Hazare on Saturday 9 April, 2011 called off his hunger strike bringing to an end his 98-hour protest after government issued a gazette notification constituting a 10-member Joint Committee of ministers and civil society activists, including him, to draft an effective Jan Lokpal Bill.
[edit]Differences

between Draft Lokpal Bill 2010 and Jan Lokpal

Bill
Draft Lokpal Bill (2010) Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill)

Lokpal will have no power to initiate suo moto action or Lokpal will have powers to initiate suo moto receive complaints of corruption from the general public. It action or receive complaints of corruption can only probe complaints forwarded by LS Speaker or RS from the general public. Chairman.

Lokpal will only be an Advisory Body. Its part is only limited to forwarding its report to the "Competent Authority".

Lokpal will be much more than an Advisory Body. It should be granted powers to initiate Prosecution against anyone found guilty.

Lokpal will not have any police powers. It can not register FIRs or proceed with criminal investigations.

Lokpal will have police powers. To say that it will be able to register FIRs.

CBI and Lokpal will have no connection with each other.

Lokpal and anti corruption wing of CBI will be one Independent body.

Punishment for corruption will be minimum 6 months and maximum up-to 7 years.

The punishment should be minimum 5 years and maximum up-to life imprisonment.

Lokpal will not be a monopoly for particular area. [edit]

Jan Lokpal Bill

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In India, the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's ombudsman Bill) is a draft anticorruption bill that would create a Jan Lokpal, an independent body like the Election Commission, which would have the power to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without government permission.[1] The bill was drafted by Shanti Bhushan, former IPS Kiran Bedi, Justice N. Santosh Hegde, advocate Prashant Bhushan, former chief election commissioner J. M. Lyngdoh in consultation with the leaders of theIndia Against Corruption movement and civil society. The bill proposes the institution of the office of Lokpal (Ombudsman) at the center and the Lokayukta at the state level. The Jan Lokpal Bill is designed to create an effective anti-corruption and grievance redressal system to assure that an effective deterrent is created against corruption and to provide effective protection to whistleblowers.[2][3] The Lokpal Bill drafted by the government has failed to pass the Rajya Sabha for 42 years.[4] The first Lokpal 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. However, no bill has yet been passed.[5] After the four day fasting struggle of Anna Hazare, Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh says the Lokpal Bill will be introduced in the 2011 monsoon session of parliament.[6]
Contents
[hide]

1 Background 2 Key features of proposed bill 3 Differences between Draft Lokpal Bill 2010 and Jan Lokpal Bill 4 Protests 5 Prominent non-political supporters 6 Political support 7 Government response 8 Drafting Committee 9 Criticisms for the Jan Lokpal Bill 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

[edit]Background

The movement for Jan Lokpal Bill started due to the resentment because of the serious differences between the draft Lokpal Bill 2010 prepared by the government and the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by the members of this movement,[7] which has received significant public support. Supporters of the bill consider existing laws to be too weak and insufficiently enforced to stop corruption.[citation needed]
[edit]Key

features of proposed bill

A central government anti-corruption institution called "Lokpal", Like the Supreme Court,Cabinet Secretariat under supervision

1.

supported by state institutions called "Lokayukta" will be set up.

2.

of Cabinet Secretary and the Election Commission, they will be completely independent of the governments. No minister will be able to influence their investigations.

3.

Members will be appointed by judges,honest I.A.S officer which do not

have any case or bad records against them,private citizens, and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process. 4. Investigations in each case will have to be completed in one year. Trials should be completed in the following year, meaning the total process will take place within two years. 5. 6. Any loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be Help to common citizen: If any work of any citizen is not done in recovered at the time of conviction. prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation to the complainant. 7. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and, if found to be substantive, will result in the the officer being dismissed within two months. 8. The existing anti-corruption agencies (CVC, departmental vigilance and the anti-corruption branch of CBI) will be merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and authority to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician. 9. The agency will also provide protection to whistleblowers who alert it of potential corruption cases.
[edit]Differences

between Draft Lokpal Bill 2010 and Jan Lokpal

Bill
This section may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (April 2011) Draft Lokpal Bill (2010) Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill)

Lokpal will have no power to initiate suo moto action or Lokpal will have powers to initiate suo moto receive complaints of corruption from the general public. It action or receive complaints of corruption can only probe complaints forwarded by LS Speaker or RS from the general public. Chairman.

Lokpal will only be an Advisory Body. Its part is only limited to forwarding its report to the "Competent Authority".

Lokpal will be much more than an Advisory Body. It should be granted powers to initiate Prosecution against anyone found guilty.

Lokpal will not have any police powers. It can not register FIRs or proceed with criminal investigations.

Lokpal will have police powers. To say that it will be able to register FIRs.

CBI and Lokpal will have no connection with each other.

Lokpal and anti corruption wing of CBI will be one Independent body.

Punishment for corruption will be minimum 6 months and maximum up-to 7 years.

The punishment should be minimum 5 years and maximum up-to life imprisonment.

Lokpal will not be a monopoly for particular area. [edit]Protests

Main article: 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement A group of Delhi residents dressed in white shirts and t-shirts took a four-hour drive around the city on March 13, 2011 to support a campaign against corruption and the Jan Lokpal Bill.[8] On April 5, 2011, anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare began a fast unto death till Jan Lokpal Bill enacted.[9] Around 6,000 Mumbai residents also started a one-day fast to support the demand for implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill.[10] Protesters have chosen yellow as the color of protests. They were seen wearing yellow dresses, T shirts and having yellow banners. Protesters in different cities are co-ordinating to observeYellow Sunday.[citation needed] Hazare also announced plans to start a Jail Bharo Andolan protest on 13th April, 2011 [11] if the Jan Lokpal bill is not passed by the government. Hazare stated that his group has received six crore (60 million) SMSes in its support.[12] He is further supported by a large number of Internet activists. The protests are not political in nature. Political leaders were discouraged by Hazare supporters from joining in his protests, as Hazare indicated his belief that these parties were using the campaign for their own political advantage.[13]

[edit]Prominent

non-political supporters

Main article: Prominent personalities supporting Jan Lokpal Bill

[edit]Political

support

The response of prominent political parties and leaders is:

Bhartya Janta Party have extended support to the bill.[14] The principal

opposition demanded that the Centre convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill. [15]

RLD chief Ajit Singh today expressed support to the anti-corruption People's party of Punjab - Former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh

campaign.[16]

Badal[17]
[edit]Government

response

The government has stated that it has not received the proposed bill copy.[citation
needed]

After the fast unto death was announced by Anna Hazare, he was invited for

talks by the PM, but the PM said the government has no time till May 13. [18] To dissuade Hazare from going on an indefinite fast, the Prime Minister's Office have directed the ministries of personnel and law to examine how the views of civil society activists can be included in the Lokpal bill.[19] On the 5th April 2011, the National Advisory Council rejected the Lokpal bill draft of the government. Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal met social activists Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal on 7 April to find ways to bridge differences on the bill.[20] Hazare's fast was supported by CPI(M). Politburo of CPI(M) issued a statement for demanding effective lokpal bill. On the 8th April 2011, after several rounds of talks, Anna Hazare announced to his supporters that the Government had agreed to all his demands and he would break his fast on Saturday morning. According to the understanding reached, 5 of the 10member joint-draft committeee would be civil society members. Pranab Mukherjee would be the Chairman of the draft committee and Shanti Bhushan will be the Co-Chairman.[21]
[edit]Drafting

Committee

Main article: 2011 Lokpal bill drafting committee

[edit]Criticisms

for the Jan Lokpal Bill

Some people have expressed the opinion that the Jan Lokpal Bill is 'naive' in its approach towards combating corruption. According to Pratap Bhanu Mehta, President, Center for Policy Research, Delhi, the bill "is premised on an institutional imagination that is at best nave; at worst subversive of representative democracy".
[22]

[edit]

A list of the scandals that hit UPA government

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New Delhi: A brief look at the series of scams that have hit the Congress-led UPA government so far. The cash-for-vote scam: The opposition slammed the UPA government over WikiLeaks cables revelations Thursday that the UPA -I paid some MPs to vote in favour of the July 2008 trust vote on the Indo-US nuclear deal. The 2G spectrum scam: The 2G licenses were issued in 2008, but the scam came to public notice when the Income Tax department investigated political lobbyist Niira Radia and the Supreme Court took Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy's complaints on record. The scam rocked the UPA government, leading to the ouster of A. Raja as communications minister and his subsequent jailing. Black money: Hasan Ali Khan, a businessman charged with money laundering, has reportedly $8 billion of unaccounted money stashed in foreign bank accounts. The opposition BJP has accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being part of a 'conspiracy of silence' in the matter. Appointment of Chief Vigilance Commissioner P.J Thomas: The appointment of P.J Thomas as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner was quashed by the Supreme Court over a Kerala corruption scandal in which his name figures. Thomas was selected by a three-member committee of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and opposition leader Sushma Swaraj in September last year. Sushma Swaraj had recorded a dissent note. Adarsh society scam: Adarsh Housing Society, a cooperative society in Mumbai, was reserved for the war widows and veterans of the Kargil War. However, the flats were allocated to bureaucrats, politicians and army personnel who had nothing to do with the Kargil War. The 31-floor high-rise is also alleged to have been built in violation of environment rules. The scam led to the resignation of Ashok Chavan as Maharashtra chief minister. Devas-Antrix deal: The allocation of precious S-band spectrum without any bidding to Devas Multimedia, a private firm, in a deal between Antrix Corporation, the commercial wing of ISRO, led to a furore. The government scrapped the controversial deal to avoid the loss of Rs.2 lakh crore to the exchequer.

Commonwealth Games scam: Allegations of wrongdoing and corruption in the holding of the Commonwealth Games last year rocked the government. The Games had a total budget of Rs.28,054 crore, according to the union urban development ministry. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe has detected irregularities in various areas like merchandising, catering, CWG Village and accreditation. The agency has arrested officials of the Games' Organising Committee on corruption and delays in the construction of main Games' venues

It's a fight to the finish for citizens' rights: Anna Hazare

Durgesh Nandan Jha, TNN, Apr 6, 2011, 12.54am IST

Tags:

india against corruption| Anna Hazare NEW DELHI: Civil society's battle against corruption acquired its sharpest edge ever on Tuesday as veteran social activist Anna Hazarebegan a fast unto death at the capital's landmark Jantar Mantar demanding greater public role in the Anti-Corruption Bill (Lokpal Bill), which has now been considered and put aside by successive regimes for the last 42 years.

Anna Hazare's fast against corruption strikes huge chord

NDTV Correspondent, Updated: April 06, 2011 07:39 IST
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New Delhi: In two hundred cities across India on Tuesday, thousands of college students, young executives and housewives joined a campaign that asks the government to enact an important new law to fight corruption. (Watch: Huge crowds in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad) At the centre of the movement is respected social activist Anna Hazare who has begun a hunger strike that he says will not end till the government proves its commitment to the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill). What the government has proposed in its draft, he and other activists say on the website, indiaagainstcorrpution.org, is "complete eyewash". Rather than strengthen anti-corruption systems, it demolishes whatever exists in the name of anti-corruption systems today. It seeks to completely insulate politicians from any kind of action against them."

Unless civil society plays a role in drafting the law, Mr Hazare believes, it will change nothing. Mr Hazare visited Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat on Tuesday morning in Delhi. He then drove in an open jeep to India Gate, accompanied by hundreds of supporters. As he marched to Jantar Mantar, schoolchildren could be seen waving the national flag. Online, Mr Hazare has received the support of five lakh Indians. (See Pictures | Comment: What should India do to fight corruption?) Rediff.com Twitter NDTV Social Live Messenger Gmail Buzz Print If Mr Hazare is commanding the attention of the average Indian, it is not just because of his considerable reputation as a crusader for basic rights for the aam admi or average Indian. Since autumn, the country has confronted an epidemic of corruption within the government. The Commonwealth Games, a massive telecom scandal, and the appropriation by politicians and bureaucrats of a highrise in Mumbai meant to house war widows and veterans have provoked public outrage. The government has been tested in Parliament by a reinvigorated Opposition. It will now face the people's verdict -five key states including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala vote this month. Mr Hazare and activists who have joined forces with him hope that the Jan Lokpal Bill will serve as the antidote to systematic and governmental corruption. They have challenged the government over its version of the bill which they say gives politicians over-riding powers to decide who should be investigated and by whom. Listing objections on indiaagainstocorrpution.org, the group says, "Lokpal has been proposed to be an advisory body. Lokpal, after enquiry in any case, will forward its report to the competent authority. The competent authority will have final powers to decide whether to take action on Lokpal's report or not. In the case of cabinet ministers, the competent authority is Prime Minister. In the case of PM and MPs the competent authority is Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, as the case may be. In the coalition era when the government of the day depends upon the support of its political partners, it will be impossible for the PM to act against any of his cabinet ministers on the basis of Lokpal's report." The selection committee for the Lokpal will be made up

largely of politicians - so there is a conflict of interest. (Read: Why Hazare, Others oppose Lokpal Bill 2010) Instead, the Lokpal Bill - Mr Hazare and his supporters state - must grant "an institution called Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in each state. Like the Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence their investigations. Its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process." (Read: What is the Janlokpal Bill, why it's important) Mr Hazare wants civil society representatives to be included in the committee that drafts the bill. The government says that while it is willing to incorporate suggestions, legislation is the business of Parliament alone. Mr Hazare disagrees. "I will observe fast-unto-death till the government agrees to form a joint committee comprising 50 per cent officials and the remaining citizens and intellectuals to draft the Jan Lokpal Bill," he has said. Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/anna-hazares-fast-againstcorruption-strikes-huge-chord-96593?cp
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New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Bollywood celebrities have shown support for eminent social activist Anna Hazare, who has gone on an indefinite hunger strike for a stronger Lokpal Bill that provides for stringent punishment for corruption. The Lokpal Bill, 2010 provides for filing complaints of corruption against the prime minister, ministers and MPs with the ombudsman. However, Hazare said that the Lokpal Bill in its present form is toothless and his supporters have drafted a separate Jan Lokpal bill taking into account the views and suggestions from civil society and common people and want its enactment. Here's what the celebrities have to say: Anupam Kher: When somebody is fighting corruption, I don't judge his ways. I applaud his intentions and actions. I am with ANNA HAZARE. Are you?:) Shekhar Kapur: I support Anna Hazare's fast for national debate on Lokpal Bill. Atleast need Parliament to come out and respond to issue. People like Anna Hazare will force a people's movement against the system. Like Gandhi did against the British.

Rahul Bose: That it takes an Anna Hazare fasting unto death to effect systemic change is comment enough. corruption part of our DNA. Diya Mirza: Finally, people are voicing strong support for a man that has, should and will be a great example to our generation. i support Anna Hazare Juhi Chawla: I am complete and absolute supporter of Shri Anna Hazare! All those with a conscience and a clean heart speak up. Purab Kohli: Jee yo 'Hazare' saaal 'Anna Sahib'!! (Long live Anna Hazare) Onir: I Support Anna Hazare. @iam_juhi - I am in complete and absolute support of shri Anna Hazare! All those with a conscience and a clean heart speak up! Madhur Bhandarkar: Overwhelming momentum generates in for Anna Hazare's fight against corruption. Is India gonna be the next Egypt?? Pritish Nandy: Proud to see common man come out in support of Anna Hazare. It took a 72year-old man to fast unto death to wake us up. Ranvir Shorey: Anna Hazare's crusade is a great litmus test to see if India has any grit left at all. Or have we become a country of corrupt schmoozers...

Signature campaign launched to support Anna Hazare

Lucknow, April 5 (IANS) People from all walks of life, including students, teachers, doctors, lawyers and professionals, turned up for a signature campaign Tuesday in support of veteran social activist Anna Hazare who has started a fast unto death to press for involving the civil society in formulation of the anti-graft Lokpal Bill. Under the aegis of Association of Academic People of Society (AAPS), which primarily comprises teachers from universities and degree colleges across the state, the signature campaign was organised at the Globe Park in Qaiserbagh area. People virtually from every walk of life are coming here to participate in the campaign. Enough is enough, the public has realised that its now high time when people from all backgrounds should come on a common platform to wage a war against corruption, AAPS secretary Anshu Kedia, who is assistant professor in a college here, told reporters. We dont know how long it will take to weed out corruption from the country, but the best thing is that owing to the efforts of Anna Hazare we have taken our first step to fight corruption. The social activist is observing a fast unto death for the betterment of our country, so its our moral responsibility to support him in his campaign, she added. The Jan Lokpal Bill calls for setting up Lokpal and Lokayuktas (in states) independent from governments control. In the activists version of the legislation, investigation in any case will have to be completed in one year, and punishment would be a jail term of minimum 5 years and maximum of life imprisonment. The governments version recommends a prison term of minimum 6 months and maximum 7 years as punishment for corruption. The activists have strongly rejected the Lokpal Bill drafted by the government. AAPS members claimed they expect around 5,000 people to participate in the campaign that started at 12 noon.

Its not only the professionals or the elite class, but housewives, taxi drivers, those running tea stalls or small eating joints all are participating in the campaign. Majority of the people are in the age group of 20-30 years, said Hasan Raza, an office-bearer of AAPS. AAPS members said similar signature campaigns would be organised in different parts of the city later. For the time being, it is going to be a one-day affair. But, we have plans to launch similar programmes in various parts of the city for bringing the public on a common platform to fight corruption, said Kedia. New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday expressed his deep disappointment over social actvist Anna Hazares decision to go ahead with his planned hunger strike for a strong anti-graft bill, and said he had enormous respect for the social worker and his mission. A statement issued Monday evening by the Prime Ministers Office said that a ministerial subcommittee headed by Defence Minister A.K. Antony met Hazares colleagues on the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill but the interaction proved fruitless as the activists were insisting on the government accepting their draft in full. The Prime Ministers Office has noted with deep disappointment that Shri Anna Hazare, the noted social worker, is still planning to go ahead with his planned hunger strike. Shri Hazare and his colleagues had met the Prime Minister, the law minister and other senior officials on March 7, 2011. During the discussion that lasted more than one hour, the Prime Minister had told the group that I appreciate and share your concern on corruption, the statement said. It said Hazare and his group had presented the prime minister a draft of their proposal on a Lokpal. The Prime Minister offered and the group accepted a suggestion that a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers could interact and discuss the draft with the civil society activists. The SubCommittee, headed by Shri A.K.Antony, met Shri Hazares colleagues but the interaction proved fruitless as the activists were insisting on the government accepting their draft in full. The prime minister has enormous respect for Shri Hazare and his mission, the statement added. Hazare Monday said he is starting an indefinite fast to press for the demand to involve civil society in formulation of the Lokpal Bill. I will fast unto death, as announced earlier, as the prime minister has refused to form a joint committee with civil society members in it for the formulation of the Lokpal Bill. Even if I lose my life, I will have no regret, my life is dedicated to the nation, Hazare said at a press meet here. Hazare and several other civil society activists are pressing for adoption of an alternate bill, called Jan Lokpal Bill. In the activists version, investigation in any case will have to be completed in one year, and punishment would be a jail term of minimum 5 years and maximum of life imprisonment. The governments version recommends a prison term of minimum 6 months and maximum 7 years as punishment for corruption.

India against corruption: Give us time on Lokpal Bill, says Kapil Sibal
IANS, Apr 6, 2011, 02.55pm IST

Tags:

what is lokpal bill| Lokpal Bill NEW DELHI: As veteran social activist Anna Hazare's fast for a stronger anti-graft Lokpal Bill entered the second day Wednesday, a senior minister who is a member of a sub-committee on the legilsation said the government was committed to the measure but had not been given enough time by civil society members to respond.

"I am really surprised that an extreme position has been taken and I still appeal to the civil society, they are enlightened people, they should not stall the dialogue but allow the dialogue to continue for a constructive approach. Government and civil society are on same platform to deal strongly with the problem of corruption," Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told NDTV.

We have not said no to Anna Hazare, but don't hurry us: govt
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AgenciesTags : Anna Hazare fast, Jan Lokpal Bill, Congress,Jayanthi NatarajanPosted: Wed Apr 06 2011, 14:08 hrsNew Delhi: Buy Flower & GiftDiscount ShoppingFlower & CakeCordless Headphone

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The government has said it is open to any suggestion on Anna Hazare's proposed anti-corruption legislation and had not turned down the social activist's demand for a joint committee of government officials and civilians to frame a fresh one. Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the government was open to suggestions even though it was "anxious to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the next session". He said the government "did not say no" to Hazare's demand for a joint committee to draft the Bill after a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on corruption held discussions with representatives of Hazare and other members of civil society. "Even on the demand for a joint committee, we said we were open. We never closed our mind even on the formation of a joint committee... In principle, we did not say no," Moily said adding that the Prime Minister was open to all suggestions on the Bill.
AgenciesTags : Anna Hazare fast, Jan Lokpal Bill, Congress,Jayanthi NatarajanPosted: Wed Apr 06 2011, 14:08 hrsNew Delhi: Buy Flower & GiftDiscount ShoppingFlower & CakeCordless Headphone

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The government has said it is open to any suggestion on Anna Hazare's proposed anti-corruption legislation and had not turned down the social activist's demand for a joint committee of government officials and civilians to frame a fresh one. Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the government was open to suggestions even though it was "anxious to introduce the Lokpal Bill in the next session". He said the government "did not say no" to Hazare's demand for a joint committee to draft the Bill after a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on corruption held discussions with representatives of Hazare and other members of civil society. "Even on the demand for a joint committee, we said we were open. We never closed our mind even on the formation of a joint committee... In principle, we did not say no," Moily said adding that the Prime Minister was open to all suggestions on the Bill.