Lokpal bill: Team Anna, BJP on warpath

Team Anna is all set for the third round of battle with the Central Government over strong Lokpal Bill.

Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare and his Team rejected the final draft of Lokpal bill, calling it toothless and announced three days anshan from December 27 followed by countrywide Jail Bharo Andolan from December 30 to January 1.

"Our stir will continue till government agrees to all demands. We will observe three days fast from December and jail bharo andolan from December 30." Anna said while rejecting the Lokpal bill cleared by the cabinet.

"Their (central government) intention is not clear. They think that they are betraying Anna Hazare but in fact they are betraying the people who are fed up with corruption," Hazare said.


On the other hand, the Opposition BJP has also joined the battle field over Lokpal draft, which was cleared by Cabinet on Tuesday evening. The BJP said that government betrayed the countryman by bringing week Lokpal bill and would oppose it in the Parliament.

"If CBI is not under the purview of Lokpal bill, it is great betrayal of people and we will oppse it in the Parliament," BJP spokesperson Parakash Javedkar said.

With this, the stage for a confrontation with Government is set within and outside Parliament.

The Lokpal bill will be tabled in the Parliament on December 22.

On the other hand, the government is also geared up to tackle the situation. In this series, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will address party MPS and ministers on Wednesday.

Among its provisions, the bill puts the lower bureaucracy under the Central Vigilance Commissioner with the superintendency of the Lokpal, but says the ombudsman would have no investigation wing and will only have a prosecution department with lawyers under it.

Investigation in cases referred by the Lokpal would be done by the CBI independently, said sources.

The Lokpal would also have no suo motu powers to take up cases and would do that on the basis of complaints filed before it.

Not less than 50 percent posts would be reserved for the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, minorities and women in the Lokpal institution, which would have a chairman and eight members.

While there would be no impeachment of the Lokpal, the bill provides for his removal by the Supreme Court based either on a petition signed by 100 MPs or by citizens, which will have to be approved by the president.

The Lokpal, which would have a constitutional status, will be selected by a panel including the prime minister, the Lok Sabha speaker, the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, an eminent jurist and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee.

Key Points in Lokpal Bill 2011
 

• Lokpal will be a 9-member body, including the chairman
• It will have 50% reservation for OBCs, SCs/STs/Minorities; quota also in search committee
• Selection panel will comprise PM, leader of opposition in LS, Speaker, CJI or his nominee and a legal expert nominated by President
• Lokpal to get constitutional status

Prime Minister
 

• PM put within purview of Lokpal subject to safeguards relating to national security, foreign affairs, space, atomic energy and defence
• 3/4ths of the Lokpal must agree before a probe against PM
• Inquiry to be held in-camera

Group C&D
 

• All four categories of govt employees under Lokpal. On A&B, CVC has to report to Lokpal
• CVC can't close investigations against senior ofifcers on its own
• Group C&D: Lokpal can ask CVC to investigate cases and CVC must report back to Lokpal
• CVC can probe cases against C&D on its own as well. It can also refer cases to CBI on its own
• Lokpal will also have a wing to conduct preliminary inquiries and a prosecution department