As the UPA Union cabinet gave its approval to the Lokpal Bill. But the government had done a cheating with the team Anna and to the common man. The Union cabinet had dumped most of the suggestions of team Anna. As the PM Manmohan Singh was ready to come under the lokpal bill but the UPA Cabinet had kept out PM and judiciary of the purview of the bill. The cabinet here played a very diplomatic role they kept the PM under Lokpal bill only after he demits his office. They had made the two wings for Lokpal one for inquiry and another for investigation but both the wings had no power to prosecute the complaint which is a big problem in the bill. No prior permission is required to investigate Union ministers, MP’s, Group A officers but what is the use of it if both the wings had no power to prosecute. The team Anna is totally against the provisions made by the Union Cabinet. They call it a cheating with them and with common man.
| Government version of the Lokpal Bill: · The Pm, Judiciary kept out of the purview of the bill. PM come under the lokpal, after he demits office. · Lokpal will have separate wings for inquiry and investigation but no power to prosecute . · A graft complaint made after 7 years of the date of committing of such a crime would not be entertained by the lokpal. · No sanction required under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption act. · No prior permission required to investigate Union ministers, Mp’s, Group A officers. What team Anna wanted: · The bill should include the Prime Minister and higher judiciary within its ambit. · The Lokpal should have powers to look into actions of Mp’s in Parliament . · Clubbing of Lokpal and lokayukta Bills · The ombudsman should have control over the CBI · Lokpal be empowered to take action against all government officers. Source: The Tribune, July 29, 2011 |
