'Lokpal Panel to Decide Next Week on Inclusion of PM'

The Parliamentary Panel going into the Lokpal Bill will take a call on the issue of inclusion of Prime Minister in the anti-corruption watchdog at its meeting this week, its chairman Abhishek Sighvi said today(november 27).

"We have to discuss the issue in the next meeting," Singhvi told PTI adding,"we are now at the stage of report adoption and we hope to complete the work within this week".

Singhvi said 25 issues including those concerning media, corporates, NGOs, lower bureaucracy and citizens grievances have been "comprehensively dealt with" in the substantive report.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel and Law and Justice scrutinising the Lokpal Bill had on November 24 ended its internal deliberations with "broad consensus" on most of the issues including giving constitutional status to Lokpal.

Asked whether the report will satisfy everyone, Singhvi said "we are not here to satisfy everyone or anyone. We are here to satisfy our conscience and the nation".

The panel has been asked to give its report by December 7.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kuman Bansal has already indicated that the government plans to bring the bill in the last week of the current session of Parliament which concludes on December 21.

The panel is preparing to circulate the draft report of its recommendations to the members in the next few days.

Team Anna had earlier expressed surprise at the move to exclude Citizen's Charter and lower bureaucracy from the ambit of the ombudsman, saying it was contrary to a Parliament resolution.


Source:http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=742747

Lokpal Bill on govt agenda for winter session

 The government on Wednesday (november 16 2011) said its legislative agenda for the winter session of parliament that includes the Lokpal Bill and Whistle Blower Protection Bill. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the session, starting Nov 22, will have 21 sittings.He hoped the parliamentary standing committee examining the bill will be able to submit its report by Dec 1. 
 

The minister also gave a list of 31 bills that the government intends to pass during the winter session that ends Dec 21.  Bansal also met chief whips of all political parties to discuss the issues they wanted to take up during the session. 

"Political parties want to discuss issues like price rise, black money, division of states, energy security, corruption, situation in Afghanistan, earthquake in Sikkim and also issues concerning the farmers," he added.
Anna Hazare has threatened to go on a hunger strike again if the government does not pass the bill in the winter session. 
Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/lokpal-bill-on-govt-agenda-for-winter-session_742165.html

Constitutional status of Lokpal, needed or not?

Constitutional status of lokpal, if given through well thought out amendment  will make this bill even more powerful, reliable and stable.But only adding lokpal to Constitution will not show these benefits, We need a 'well thought out amendment' which can smartly balance between existing Constitution and upcoming lokpal.Lokpal must be added to Constitution by taking care of all kinds of outcomes and conditions that institution may face. If added in such a manner that Lokpal Idea will bloom and our fight against corruption will get tripple strength

Making such good  amendment and thinking about all the possibilities will of course take time and it should take time otherwise we may regret.  Indian Constitution was made by extreme care by vast Constitution committee , so amending it in 2 or 3 days by just 3 or 4 persons will be a nonsense(which government is Doing under pressure of Anna). In such case I must say If we act in haste, we may regret in leisure. So we Anna must give some time to government for a more powerful lokpal
Following benefits , lokpal will get with a Constitutional status 

• Constitutional act is always above a parliamentary act , So any act by parliament will not be able to cross-cut Lokpal
• Being Constitutional mandatory lokpal will be COMPULSORY in each and every state.
• Under the umbrella of Constitution Lokpal will remain defended against any knid of economic or functional crisis
• Lokpal will be difficult to tamper or influence
• It would not be easy to remove Lokpal bill 

All these benefits will bloom in lokpal only if the amendment of Constitution is done with extreme care and by a large number of constructional and lokpal EXPERTS.
If done in haste then lokpal MAY RESULT IN EVEN WORSE.

Editor's view: Politicians which were opposing lokpal , saying it unconstitutional are now giving it Constitutional status. Such change in state of mind is strange , I am worrying that they are not playing politics even behind this .We really need Constitutional status but be careful of political tricks.!



Points from :http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/comment_why-the-lokpal-must-be-a-constitutional-authority_1600250

Full text: PM's letter to Anna Hazare

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday wrote a letter to anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, reiterating the commitment of the government to an effective Lokpal Bill.

Here is the full text of the letter:

Dear Mr Anna Hazare 

Thank you for your letter dated September 21, 2011. I am glad you made me aware of your thoughts on several important issues.

As you know, we are committed to an effective Lokpal law and we hope to succeed in it in near future. Our government is also working on a comprehensive agenda to eradicate corruption and improve the governance. Several legal, executive and technical aspects would be included in it. The establishment of Lokpal is a part of this comprehensive agenda itself.

Our government is also considering several recommendations concerning electoral reforms. Among the recommendations that are being considered, you have talked about the Right to Recall. In a democratic society, getting political consensus on some issues is a must. We want to discuss several recommendations concerning electoral reforms with other political parties and act on the ones that are broadly agreed upon.

I completely agree with you on the issue of empowering the Gram Sabha. We are committed to implement the 73rd and 74th amendment of the constitution. We are constantly striving to work along with state governments to fulfill the dream of empowering the Gram Sabhas in the real sense.

I thank you again for your suggestions.

With good wishes, 

Yours,

Manmohan Singh

Source
http://www.scribd.com/doc/68347932/PM-to-Annaji (real letter)

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-pms-letter-to-anna-hazare/192145-53.html 

http://twitter.com/#!/janlokpal

Anna's address in virtual world

Anna Hazare had launched his blog— http://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/—on Thursday.His Facebook address is  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002962161677 and that of twitter is  http://twitter.com/#!/annahazaresays He will join the bracket of star bloggers such as Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. On the portal, Anna stated that people from all over the world were eager to know his thoughts on many issues.


The Marathi,Hindi  and English versions of the blog will be soon available and will be followed later by other Indian languages. Noted commentators Vijay Kuvalekar and Raju Parulekar will help Hazare expressing his thoughts on the blog. 


Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/mumbai/30217576_1_anna-hazare-anti-corruption-fight-corruption
https://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/join-me-now-on-google-twitter-and-facebook-2/

Some points need to be modified about lokpal

• Section 23(1) proposes a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for corrupt public servants, while according to Chapter VI titled “Accountability of Officers of Lokpal” the punishment for a Lokpal member found guilty of corruption is just “dismissal, removal or reduction in rank.”

• This Bill also contains some provisions that could make the Lokpal a heavy-handed parallel oligarchy. For instance, Sec 7 grants to “investigating officers” and members of Lokpal the combined powers of a police officer, director of enforcement and a civil court.
• Sec 4(4), which lists out persons not eligible to become chairperson or member of the Lokpal, needs to be modified to exclude any person who is, or has been, a member, sympathiser, associate or supporter of any communal organisation or person. 

• The total estimated revenue of India for 2011-12 as projected in the last budget is Rs7,89,892 crore and 0.25 % of this is nearly 2000 crores, which the Lokpal will have access to without “any administrative or financial sanction from any government agency.” The drafters have to explain why such a huge amount of money is required for an institution, which according to Team Anna is not going to be flooded with thousands of complaints.

Team Anna 'referendum' on Jan Lokpal in Sonia's constituency

 Stepping up pressure on lawmakers, Team Anna would conduct surveys to assess public perception on Jan Lokpal Bill in Amethi and Rae Bareli, pocketborough of Nehru-Gandhi family, and other prominent parliamentary constituencies of UP and Uttarakhand ahead of winter session of Parliament.

"The time till Parliament's winter session (November) is important as the Standing Committee considering the Lokpal bill will hear views of various groups on this issue," Anna Hazare's associate and civil society activist Manish Sisodiya said here.

The first question in the "referendum" will be whether the MPs should support the Jan Lokpal bill proposed by Anna Hazare or not and the second question will be on whether people should vote for those MPs who have opposed the Bill, Sisodiya said.


Copied From:http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-25/news/30200880_1_team-anna-lokpal-bill-anna-hazare

Referendum in constituencies of MPs on Lokpal panel: Team Anna

• Team Anna declared on Sunday that they will hold "referendums" in constituencies of MPs who are part of the standing committee on the Jan Lokpal bill, asking people whether they should vote for their representatives who oppose the bill. Hazare threatened another stir if their demands are not met. "The referendum is meant to gauge people's views on those who oppose the Bill. In next six months, Anna and his team will tour the states where assembly elections are due, to create awareness about stand taken by political parties on the bill," said Arvind Kejriwal. 
• Anna Hazare said he will tour the country and answer those opposed to the Jan Lokpal bill and not give up until the government passes the bill. "If required, I will again start an agitation again, if not from Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan, then from some other place in Delhi," he said. 

• Arvind Kejriwal, fighting off charges of corruption, said, "By October 15, an audit report of expenses incurred by India Against Corruption (IAC) during April 1 to September 30 will be put up on IAC website. All members of the core team will declare their assets. A three-member committee of retired HC/SC judges will be formed to look into complaints about alleged corruption in the expenses.

There are some "over smart" people in the government, Hazare said. "When I was in Delhi I saw five to six people in the government acting as if they were the PM. There was complete confusion and Sonia Gandhi was also not there", he said. 

Editor's views: Isn't IAC becoming a blame game player by making tension by discussing politicians of a particular party in their every press conference . 

However I liked the idea of 'tour of the country' but still 'Referendum in constituencies' asking people whether they should vote for their representatives who oppose the bill, smells political and  more anti-government and less anti-graft. I think IAC is making all those their enemies who oppose their lokpal (including Aruna Roy) which is also not democratic. Its my view rest up to you{comment} 

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Referendum-in-constituencies-of-MPs-on-Lokpal-panel-Team-Anna/articleshow/9949866.cms

Lokpal bill can't root out corruption of lack of morality: Tushar Gandhi

Implementation of Lokpal Bill cannot root out corruption as it talks about graft in politics and administration, felt Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and author of 'Let's Kill Gandhi'."In fact, corruption is existing at every step of our daily life," he said.

He was the chief guest at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial lecture conducted by Sarvodaya International Trust AP Chapter in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of India here on Saturday.Tushar felt corruption cannot be eliminated from the society just by imposing some rules and restrictions."Morality should be observed at individual-level.

Then alone can we expect a change in the society," he pointed out.

"Since April, people have been calling social activist Anna Hazare as second Gandhi stating that he has been fighting against corruption in Gandhian style by doing satyagraha.

But he is a lone crusader against corruption and is surrounded by the most corrupt politicians and bureaucrats without moralities.

We cannot compare Anna with Gandhi," he said.

"Gandhi, during national movement, had people of high morality around him.

But now there are no such people, particularly in Anna's team.

Firstly, we should be honest and then think of the society," Tushar said.

Personal moralities are very important for an individual and for a better society, he observed.

Editor's views: Well he is correct in terms of saying bill alone cannot can uproot corruption as now corruption in not a part of our lives but we are the parts of corruption. But his referring that Anna's team has corrupt people makes us think once again where we are standing!

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lokpal-bill-cant-root-out-graft-tushar-gandhi/183079-60-121.html

Harsh penalty in Jan Lokpal Bill, Indian industry worries

Indian industry is worried over a clause in the Jan Lokpal Bill which seeks to impose a fine of up to five times the loss caused to the public exchequer if a company is found to have been involved in corrupt practice and the charge is proved.

• The Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the Anna Hazare team lists the various punishments that can be meted out for indulging in corruption. Clause 23 (3) of the Bill says, "If the beneficiary of an offence is a business entity, in addition to the other punishments provided for under this Act and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a fine of up to five times the loss caused to the public shall be recovered from the accused and the recovery may be made from the assets of the business entity and from the personal assets of its managing directors, if the assets of the accused person are inadequate."
• It also says that if any company or any of its directors is connected to any offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act that company and all companies promoted by any of the company's promoters shall be blacklisted and ineligible for undertaking any government work or contract in future.

"I feel that each case has to be looked upon based on its merit. In case of a provision seeking a fine of five times, the loss caused to the public, I feel that this clause should specify that it has to be up to five times and not always absolute," said R C Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

"Then the court has a right to decide the appropriate penalty, taking a practical view and keeping in mind the kind of offence. Too much rigidity in law makes it difficult to implement, I feel," said Bhargava, a former bureaucrat.

 "The Lokpal Bill is not really tackling the cause of corruption; it is only tackling the effect. We need to look at the fundamental aspect of why corruption exists. It's because there are discretionary powers which are being misused," said Harish Mariwala, CMD of Marico. "The system is faulty. We need to rectify the system and then only we will be able to weed out corruption."

Editor's View: Well why industralists are getting worried? why are MP's shouting? This all reflects that the bill has the guts to make corrupts feel the required fear. Even the controversial critic of lokpal Ms Aruna Roy think that bill will take care of an aspect of corruption in governance.


Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-06/india/30118135_1_prevention-of-corruption-act-fight-corruption-corrupt-practice

Team Hazare to hold brainstorming session on Jan Lokpal bill

Anna Hazare and his team will start a two-day brainstorming session here Saturday over the future course of action for the Jan Lokpal bill and other issues, an aide of the social activist said Friday. 
"The core committee meeting will start in two sessions tomorrow (Saturday) morning and there will be a public meeting in the evening. Two more sessions shall be held Sunday and the outcome will be informed to the media,” Suresh  Pathare said.
Around 45 people from India Against Corruption and other groups started arriving in the village Friday for the deliberations.While Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan have already reached the village, Kiran Bedi was expected Friday night.

Anna Hazare is also planning to widen the scope of the anti-corruption movement by demanding electoral reforms, the right to recall elected representatives and related issues.

Earlier Friday, Hazare addressed a group of his followers where he challenged Congress spokesman Manish Tewari to prove his allegations of corruption.

"If he can prove that I have taken even Rs100, I am ready to work in his home, fill water for the rest of my life,” declared Hazare, who slapped a legal defamation notice on Tewari Thursday.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_team-hazare-to-hold-brainstorming-session-on-jan-lokpal-bill_1585418