Lokpal bill will cover PM

Nov 22, 2010 |

New Delhi

After several abortive attempts, the government is once again working on a law for establishment of the institution of Lokpal to go into allegations of corruption against public functionaries, including the Prime Minister. The draft Lokpal Bill, 2010, provides for filing of complaints of allegations of corruption against Prime Minister, ministers and MPs with the Lokpal.
According to the bill, the Lokpal shall consist of a chairperson who is or has been a Chief Justice or a judge of the Supreme Court.
It will also have two members who have either been the judges of the Supreme Court or the chief justices of the high courts.
The Lokpal Bill has had a long and chequered history. Legislations in the past had included the Prime Minister within the ambit of the bill only on a few occasions.
The current bill provides for inquiry against Prime Minister but it has to be routed through the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the lokpal can hear it only if it is cleared by the Speaker.
The National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution in 2001 had recommended that the Prime Minister be kept out of the lokpal’s purview since he occupies a unique position and is the head of the entire governmental structure.

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