New Delhi/Pune, Aug 4 (ANI): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare and his supporters burnt copies of the Lokpal Bill in Pune on Thursday, claiming that the anti-corruption legislation tabled in its present form in Parliament, would not be able to deal with corruption.
Hazare and his team termed the government's version of the Lokpal Bill as 'anti-common man', and demanded the inclusion of the office of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and the conduct of lawmakers inside Parliament in the Lokpal Bill.
Civil society activists have expressed apprehension about the contents of the approved Bill, stressing that the government appeared to be 'not serious' about curbing corruption.
The Union Cabinet had approved the official draft of the Lokpal Bill last week and trashed key proposals moved by Hazare and his team of civil society activists.
The Bill provides for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries.
The Bill envisages the setting up the institution of Lokpal, consisting of a chairperson and eight members, with the stipulation that half of the members shall be judicial members.
It will have its own investigation wing and prosecution wing with such officers and staff as are necessary to carry out its functions.
The Bill provides that Lokpal shall inquire into allegations of corruption made in respect of Prime Minister, after he has demitted office.
It also authorises inquiry against a Minister of the Union; a Member of Parliament; any Group "A" officer or equivalent; Chairperson or member or officer equivalent to Group "A" in any body/ Board/ corporation/ authority/ company/ society/ trust/ autonomous body established by an Act of Parliament or wholly or partly financed or controlled by the Central Government; any director, manager, secretary or other officer of a society or association of persons or trust wholly or partly financed or aided by the government or in receipt of any donations from the public and whose annual income exceeds such amount as the Central Government may by notification specify.
However, the organisations created for religious purposes and receiving public donations would be outside the purview of Lokpal.
The Lokpal shall not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed.
The Lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means. (ANI)
