Lokpal Bill

Lokpal bill or Ombudsman Bill came in to existence in 1960’s when the corruption went rampant in the several administrations and systems in India. The idea of Ombudsman Bill originated in Sweden in 1809. Ombudsman is a Swedish word which mean ‘an officer appointed by the legislature to handle complaints against administrative and judicial action’. In layman terms a person or body appointed to keep check on public servants. So, The Administrative Reforms Commission ARC set up 1966 came up with the idea to setup a two-tier system of a lokpal at the centre and Lokayukt in each state. Its main motive was not only to remove corruption from the society but also to instill and reinstate the confidence of public in judiciary and administrative system. Therefore, in 1968 Lokpal bill was presented to Lok Sabha by Shanti Bhushan and was passed in 1969. But Lok Sabha got dissolved and the bill got lapsed. Revival of the bill was attempted number of times again viz. 1971,1977,1985,1989,1996,1998,2001,2001 and 2008 was the 10th version.
Due to recent scams like 2G scam, Lalit Modi Scam, Adarsh Society scam etc. people felt the need to revive Lokpal Bill again as Jan Lokpal Bill or Citizen’s Ombudsman Bill. Jan Lokpal Bill was drafted on 21st June 2011
Comparison between Lokpal and Jan Lokpal
Structure
• Structure of Lokpal bill is a government selected and controlled body, with 11 members panel at the center without inclusion of anti-corruption agencies.
• Whereas, In Lokpal Bill it proposes to be run by government independent body with 11 members in each state and will include all existing anti-corruption agencies. Punishment
• In Government’s Lokpal Bill, is maximum 10 years. Higher Punishment is not applicable if the accused holds higher office and no higher fines are applicable for business entities. No blacklisting of the accused.
• On the contrary, Jan Lokpal Bill dictates higher punishment if the accused holds higher office and higher fines, if accused are