Lokpal might be discussed in Budget Session(Cycle repeats!)

According to the sources key legislations like strengthening of anti-rape laws, Land Acquisition Bill and Lokpal Bill which are likely to be passed in Budged session might get delayed again!
with some Opposition parties objecting to the present form of the proposed measures.|Oh FOR GOD'S SAKE, they are already DEEEEEEEEEEEEELAYED..|
There are  differences on the Lokpal Bill despite the measure going through a standing committee and a select committee with some political parties opposing it today and wanted it to go through some more scrutiny.(click here to see amended version clear by Cabinet)

According to Nath, an MP for over 30 years Women's Reservation bill and Lokpal bill might be passed during the tenure of the 15th Lok Sabha. 

An interesting point to be noted is that even if the Lokpal Bill is passed in Rajya Sabha, it will have to go to lok Sabha again for confirmation as the version to be cleared is an amended one!

Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/antirape-laws-to-lokpal-parl-session-to-be-stormy/1076537/1

Lokpal report by standing committee presented in Rajya Sabha:Short Update

 Report on Lokpal and Lokayukata created by standing committee of Rajya Sabha was presented in parliament  on November 23, 2012. (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAIN POINTS OF REPORT)

 Report was tabled amidst din in the Upper House on Friday. The report was tabled even while Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members created a ruckus, demanding reservation for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled tribes in job promotion.

short points OF REPORT((CLICK HERE TO SEE complete POINTS OF REPORT)

Among its recommendations, the select committee has suggested  that the prime minister should be under the Lokpal's purview, except for matters related to external affairs, internal security, atomic energy, and international relations.

It also suggests delinking of state Lokayuktas from the Lokpal bill, giving only "direction" to states.

The recommendations would, however, not be binding on the government, which would decide the final version of the bill to be presented in parliament.

Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Lokpal-report-tabled-in-RS-Parliament-paralysed-for-second-day/Article1-963192.aspx

Parliamentary Update for Lokpal

Rajya Sabha selected Parliamentary committee on Monday (November 19,2012)  adopted draft report on the Lokpal Bill.

Main Points of report/changes that may come in bill

• On strong resistance from opposition and allies( BJP,  CPM  and Trinamool ) committee has suggested delinking creation of Lokayuktas(state version of lokpal) from the Lokpal Bill.They however said  the state governments will have to set up their own ombudsman through enactment of law by the state legislatures within one year of commencement of this law.|This decision wrong as it will make Lokayukta different in every state as well as will make it vulnerable to become a state based weak bill leading to difficult usage of bill in multi-state corruption cases|(see report in this federal structure issue)
• The Select Committee is learnt to have not recommend any changes in the original controversial  provision relating to “reservation”.
  The original provision said ‘not less than 50 per cent of the members of Lokpal would be from SC, ST, OBC, minorities and women.Sushma Swaraj(BJP)  opposed this provision as this is against the constructional fact that reservation can't be given on basis of religion (on basis of minorities) 

• The Committee’s report defending itself on reservation policy said that “these provisions merely aim at providing representation to the diverse sections of the society in the institution of Lokpal...”and only indicates “the quantum of representation and not reservation”.
• According to TV reports, the panel has sought that the Prime Minister be brought under the purview of Lokpal barring departments like Intelligence, Atomic Energy which are RTI exempted.

CBI-LOKPAL relation

• Partially accepting suggestions made by parties like BJP and JD (U) on making CBI independent of government control, the Select Committee is learnt to have recommended that its chief be appointed by a collegium comprising of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
• It also recommended that CBI should have a separate Directorate of Prosecution under a Director who should function under the agency chief. It said the Director of Prosecution should be appointed by the CVC.And also  that  recommended   CBI chief and the head of prosecution should have a fixed tenure.
• It said for cases referred by Lokpal, CBI may appoint a panel of advocates, “other than government advocates”, with the consent of the ombudsman.
• CBI officers investigating cases referred by Lokpal will only be transferrede by the aproval of the anti-corruption watchdog.
• The Committee said the poweer of superintendence and direction of CBI in relation to Lokpal referred cases must vest in Lokpal.
• On the issue of suspension of Chairman or member of Lokpal, government was of the view that since President is the appointing authority, he should have the power to remove.
• The panel also recommended that NGOs getting direct support in form of funds from the government be only covered by Lokpal or the proposed institution will be flooded by complaints

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/panel-for-delinking-lokayuktas-from-lokpal/article4111928.ece
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bring-Prime-Minister-under-Lokpal-House-panel-recommends/articleshow/17279083.cms
http://janlokpalbillcenter.blogspot.in/2011/12/lokpal-bill-passed-in-lok-sabha.html
http://janlokpalbillcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/federal-structure-issue-shadowed.html

Parliamentary Progress:Lokpal became more weak

Parliamentary Progress(that media is ignoring)
Lokpal Bill discussed in Rajya Sabha is getting weaker and weaker. The essential powers and authorities that it need to be an ideal anti-corruption bill are being taken away from it.(See weakness of Govt's Lokpal)

• On October 26(2012), the law ministry at the Parliamentary Panel (created by Rajya Sabha for lokpal discussions) meet  advocated that officials in the prime ministers offices(PMO) should be kept out of the purview of the lokpal on matters related to national security — both internal and external.Some of the Members of the parliamentary panel seemed to have supported(/agreed) this suggestion by law ministry
• The panel members also agreed with a suggestion that people who handle sensitive subjects should enjoy immunity.
• The ministry has also cautioned(/contradicted) against the amendment moved by minister of state V Narayanasamy in the Rajya Sabha on May 22 that maximum flexibility be provided to states for setting up Lokayuktas.

Clarifying its stand, the ministry said, “All protection will be given to officials who were dealing with issues pertaining to national security, nuclear energy but the secretariat will be open for probe.”


However, AIADMK MP V Maitreyan clarified that the 
immunity would be related only to security issues, and not extend to other areas for the same officials who hold other charges as well. 
| Editor's View
:frankly its not the immunity , its their freedom to do scams or to dark out the same in the national security. Security of nation is a delicate matter but it doesn't means that this area is corruption free and don't need to be investigated by anti-corruption body. Revelations by Gen. V.K Singh have already verified the existence of corruption in the area of national security  |

Source:http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_lokpal-loses-teeth-pmo-officials-out-of-its-reach_1756253
http://dailypioneer.com/nation/104247-in-short.html