Mass support for Hazare's anti-corruption bill
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COMMENTS 
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare’s demand for a strong and accountable Lokpal Bill to curb corruption has struck a resonant chord
A fast-unto-death undertaken by influential social activist Anna Hazare, to press for a revised Lokpal Bill, entered its third day on April 7, 2011, and has been drawing increasing numbers of supporters from all walks of life who have been congregating at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, a popular protest spot.
Other cities around the country, such as Bangalore and Pune, have been holding their own protests and signature campaigns in support. Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are flooded with posts about Hazare’s endeavour. It was the most talked about topic for two consecutive days on Twitter, with one tweet every five seconds on average. Several Facebook users have put up status updates on him.
Hazare, best known for the transformation he wrought in his own village of Ralegan Siddhi, in Maharashtra, several decades ago, and subsequently for his relentless fight against corruption in the Indian political system, is demanding enactment of the Jan Lokpal Bill, a piece of legislation aimed at curbing corruption in public life by appointing a lokpal, or ombudsman, with requisite powers.
Hazare claims the government’s draft legislation is inadequate and lacks teeth. He suggests several changes to the bill and wants a joint committee comprising representatives of the government and civil society to help firm it up.
The government has already set up a sub-group of four ministers within the group of ministers on corruption to take on board the suggestions of civil society. But this is not deemed enough. “What we demand is a joint committee with 50% representation from our side. Set up a joint committee and start drafting the Lokpal Bill,” Hazare insists.
Hazare’s protest has already led to the resignation of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the group of ministers on corruption after Hazare criticised Pawar’s inclusion in the group after his name had been associated with several dodgy land deals in his home state of Maharashtra.
A Lokpal Bill has been pending for 42 years. It was first passed in the Lok Sabha in 1969 but didn’t make it through the Rajya Sabha. The government has come out with a draft bill, which, anti-corruption activists say, is too weak. The principal demand of civic activists is that they should be involved in redrafting the bill.
The bill as it stands has no power to initiate suo moto action and the lokpal will not have powers to look into complaints against the prime minister, ministers, and members of Parliament unless sent by the speaker. It also does not include judges in its ambit. What has come to be known as the Jan Lokpal Bill wants the lokpal to initiate suo moto action in every case, and enjoy jurisdiction over all politicians and judges.
Other provisions that need amending, according to the Jan Lokpal are:
- Change the lokpal from an advisory body to one that has powers to initiate prosecution after completion of investigations. It must also have the power to register a first information report.
- Merge the anti-corruption branch of the CBI with the lokpal.
- Must have powers to protect whistleblowers against physical or other intimidation.
- In the draft bill, the lokpal will have three members -- all retired judges. The Jan Lokpal wants one chairperson and 10 members, four of whom must have a legal background.
- The draft bill proposes a selection committee of vice-president, prime minister, MPs from both houses, law minister and home minister. The Jan Lokpal wants members to have a judicial background and include the CEC, CAG.
- Punishment under the draft bill -- a minimum of six months and a maximum of seven years -- to be enhanced to five years and life imprisonment, respectively.
- The time limit of one year for completion of inquiries, and completion of trial within the next year.
- The draft bill has no time limit for recovery of ill-gotten wealth. The Jan Lokpal wants the loss to government from corruption to be recovered from all the accused.
Source: PTI, April 7, 2011
The Hindu, April 7, 2011
DNA, April 7, 2011