Lokpal Bill 2013
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill
The historic Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 passed by Parliament (December 17, 2013 in Rajya Sabha and December 18, 2013 in Lok Sabha) paves the way for setting up of the institution of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States by law enacted by the respective State Legislatures within one year of coming into force of the Act. The new law provides for a mechanism for dealing with complaints of corruption against public functionaries, including those in high places.
Salient Features of the Bill The Bill as passed by Parliament provided broadly for the following:
(a) Establishment of the institution of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas at the level of the States, thus providing a uniform vigilance and anti-corruption road-map for the nation, both at the Centre and the States.
(b) The Lokpal to consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial Members. Fifty per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
(c) The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection Committee consisting of –
· Prime Minister;
· Speaker of Lok Sabha;
· Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha;
· Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court Judge nominated by CJI;
· An eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India
(d) A Search Committee will assist the Selection Committee in the process of selection. Fifty per cent of members of the Search Committee shall also be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
(e) Prime Minister was brought under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister.
(f) Lokpal’s jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants including Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ officers and
The historic Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 passed by Parliament (December 17, 2013 in Rajya Sabha and December 18, 2013 in Lok Sabha) paves the way for setting up of the institution of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States by law enacted by the respective State Legislatures within one year of coming into force of the Act. The new law provides for a mechanism for dealing with complaints of corruption against public functionaries, including those in high places.
Salient Features of the Bill The Bill as passed by Parliament provided broadly for the following:
(a) Establishment of the institution of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas at the level of the States, thus providing a uniform vigilance and anti-corruption road-map for the nation, both at the Centre and the States.
(b) The Lokpal to consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight Members, of which fifty percent shall be judicial Members. Fifty per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
(c) The selection of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal shall be through a Selection Committee consisting of –
· Prime Minister;
· Speaker of Lok Sabha;
· Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha;
· Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court Judge nominated by CJI;
· An eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India
(d) A Search Committee will assist the Selection Committee in the process of selection. Fifty per cent of members of the Search Committee shall also be from amongst SC, ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
(e) Prime Minister was brought under the purview of the Lokpal with subject matter exclusions and specific process for handling complaints against the Prime Minister.
(f) Lokpal’s jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants including Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ officers and