Jan Lokpal Bill

The Jan Lokpal Bill, also referred to as the Citizen's Ombudsman Bill, is an anti-corruption bill drafted and drawn up by civil society activists in India seeking the appointment of a Jan Lokpal, an independent body to investigate corruption cases.
The Jan Lokpal Bill aims to effectively deter corruption, compensate citizen grievances, and protect whistle-blowers.

An Overview:
The Lokpal Bill was first introduced by Adv. Shanti Bhushan in 1968 and passed the 4th Loki Sabha in 1969. But before it could be passed by Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha was dissolved and the bill lapsed.Subsequent versions were re-introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008,but none of them were passed.
In 2011, during the Parliament's Winter Session, the Lok Sabha passed the controversial Lokpal Bill, but could not be passed by Rajya Sabha due to shortage of time in the winter session of 2011. The Government tabled the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha on 13 December 2013 and the debate was adjourned till 16 December 2013. The Lokpal Bill was finally passed on 17 December 2013 in the Rajya Sabha. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2013.

Time Line and Cost:

The Lokpal Bill has been introduced in the Parliament a total of eight times since 1968.

• 1968 –  2 lakh
• 1971 –  20 lakh
• 1977 –  25 lakh
• 1985 –  25 lakh
• 1989 –  35 lakh – PM under lokpal
• 1996 –  1 crore – PM under lokpal
• 2001 –  35 crore – PM under lokpal
• 2011 –  1700 crore
• 2012 –  2050 crore
• 2013 –  2100 crore
• 2013 –  2800 crore
  
  

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• Key features of proposed bill

  Some important features of the proposed bill are:
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvind_Kejriwal
  1. To establish a central government anti-corruption institution called Lokpal, supported by Lokayukta at the state level.
  2. As is the case with the Supreme Court of India and Cabinet Secretariat, the Lokpal will be supervised by the Cabinet Secretary and the Election Commission. As a result, it will be completely independent of the government and free from ministerial influence in its investigations.
  3. Members will be appointed by judges, Indian Administrative Service officers with a clean record, private citizens and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process.
  4. A selection committee will invite short-listed candidates for interviews, the video recordings of which will thereafter be made public.
  5. Every month on its website, the Lokayukta will publish a list of cases dealt with, brief details of each, their outcome and any action taken or proposed. It will also publish lists of all cases received by the Lokayukta during the previous month, cases dealt with and those which are pending.
  6. Inquiry has to be completed within 60 days and investigation to be completed within six months. Lokpal shall order an investigation only after hearing the public servant.
  7. Losses to the government by a corrupt individual will be recovered at the time of conviction.
  8. Government office-work required by a citizen that is not completed within a prescribed time period will result in Lokpal imposing financial penalties on those responsible, which will then be given as compensation to the complainant.
  9. Complaints against any officer of Lokpal will be investigated and completed within one month and, if found to be substantive, will result in the officer being dismissed within two months.
  10. The existing anti-corruption agencies [CVC], departmental vigilance and the anti-corruption branch of the [CBI] will be merged into Lokpal which will have complete power authority to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.
  11. Whistle-blowers who alert the agency to potential corruption cases will also be provided with protection by it.
  12.