People's bill Jan Lokpal Bill

The Jan Lokpal Bill since its first introduction nearly four decades back in 1969, never got such a heart strong backing as it is getting now. The time for change has come; common people fed up of corruption are in a desperate need for change in their lifestyle.

People from all parts of India have emerged out in support of Jan Lokpal Bill to be accepted in its original form. The Jan Lokpal Bill is not only drafted to stringently deter corruption but also redress grievances and protect whistle-blowers. 

In light of the frailty of the existing laws and  to put a stop on corruption a few key highlights of the proposed bill are:

1. To establish a central government anti-corruption institution called Lokpal, supported by Lokayukta at the state level.
2. As in the case of the Supreme Court and Cabinet Secretariat, the Lokpal will be supervised by the Cabinet Secretary and the Election Commission. As a result, it will be completely independent of the government and free from ministerial influence in its investigations.
3. Members will be appointed by judges, Indian Administrative Service officers with a clean record, private citizens and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process.
4. A selection committee will invite shortlisted candidates for interviews, videorecordings of which will thereafter be made public.
5. Every month on its website, the Lokayukta will publish a list of cases dealt with, brief details of each, their outcome and any action taken or proposed. It will also publish lists of all cases received by the Lokayukta during the previous month, cases dealt with and those which are pending.
6. Investigations of each case must be completed in one year. Any resulting trials should be concluded in the following year, giving a total maximum process time of two years.
7. Losses caused to the government by a corrupt individual will be recovered at the time of conviction.
8. Government officework required by a citizen that is not completed within a prescribed time period will result in Lokpal imposing financial penalties on those responsible, which will then be given as compensation to the complainant.
9. Complaints against any officer of Lokpal will be investigated and completed within a month and, if found to be substantive, will result in the officer being dismissed within two months.
10. The existing anti-corruption agencies (CVC, departmental vigilance and the anti-corruption branch of the CBI) will be merged into Lokpal which will have complete power and authority to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.
11. Whistleblowers who alert the agency to potential corruption cases will also be provided with protection by it.

The Jan Lokpal Bill is a proposed anti- corruption law and the need of the hour is to give a wave to the Jan Lokpal Bill. Then once the Lokpal Bill culminates into a law, it will only be a beginning of a new era in the Modern Indian Society. The Jan Lokpal Bill can then create an ‘Ombudsman’ called the Lokpal  i.e the protector of the people.

The Lokpal or an ombudsman will then be an independent body which will have the power to keep a check on politicians and bureaucrats by investigation without prior government permission. Lokpal will have the powers  1.to investigate the prime minister 2.to initiate suo moto action or receive complaints of corruption from any citizen if it deems it worthy 3.to initiate prosecution of anyone found guilty 4.that of police as well as the ability to register FIRs 5.to be one independent body with anti corruption wing of  CBI 6.to give punishment of a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

The strategy of the Jan Lokpal Bill seems to be a strict hard hitting answer to the heinous corruption which has come to light in recent times in form of various scams like 2G, 3G & CWG committed by the politicians.

But the question arises will the citizens of India fighting in solidarity for the Jan Lokpal bill; the bill of the people, for the people and by the people will win it in its original form?

Will the Jan Lokpal bring with it relief and justice to the common man who has been a victim of corrupt governance and bring ‘Poorna Swaraj’in real terms to this nation?