Clearing the decks for the passage of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill in Parliament during the upcoming Winter session, the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha has adopted unanimously a report on the much-discussed legislation here on Monday.
Apparently in an effort to reach out to the Opposition to ensure the passage of the Bill, the ruling alliance has relented on key issues like the appointment of the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the director of prosecution.
The panel has recommended that the CBI Director should be selected by a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha and the chairman of the Lokpal.
The panel said that the appointment of the director of prosecution should be made as per a proposal submitted to the Government by the Central Vigilance Commission. The panel has recommended the power to Lokpal to sanction prosecution in cases, where Government officials are involved.
The panel has also recommended fixed term for both the posts.
Lokayuktas to States
The name of the Bill will have to be changed again as Lokpal Bill, as the panel has recommended that the power to form Lokayuktas should be given to State Assemblies. It recommended that it is mandatory for the States to enact a legislation to constitute Lokayuktas within one year of passing the Lokpal Bill in Parliament.
On corruption cases involving group C and D officers of the Centre, the panel said, the Lokpal can ask the CVC to probe such issues.
No dissent notes
The Opposition members have submitted no dissent notes to the report. The panel has incorporated three notes, by leaders of BJP, Left and BSP, in the report. The BJP said in its report that the power to suspend a member of Lokpal should be vested in the Supreme Court. The BJP’s note had also recommended a fixed term for CBI director.
The Left parties said the Lokpal will not serve its purpose unless it has the power to look at the corruption in public-private partnership projects too.
Sources in the panel indicated that the Bill is likely to get the Rajya Sabha’s nod in the Winter Session. An amended Lokpal Bill will have to be cleared again by the Lok Sabha.
jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in