Cabinet approves draft Lokpal Bill
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the enactment of a new legislation, in the form of Lokpal Bill-2011 to inquire into the allegations of corruption. Briefing the media, after a meeting of the cabinet, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mrs. Ambika Soni said the bill will be introduced in Monsoon session of Parliament beginning on Monday. The Prime Minister and the higher judiciary will not come under the purview of the Lokpal Bill but the former Prime Ministers have been brought under its ambit.
She said the Lokpal will constitute of a Chairperson and eight members, half of them will be judicial members. The Bill provides for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to inquire into the allegations of corruption. The Lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means. In reply to a question, Law minister Salman Khursheed said, Lokpal will have separate wings on inquiry and investigation but no power to prosecute. Mr Khursheed said Prosecution has to be done by judiciary. He said that the draft legislation, which has included some of the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna Hazare, gives permission to Lokpal to probe any Union Minister or officials of Group A and above without any sanction.
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