New Delhi: Putting the past behind, the Congress-led UPA on Wednesday took a giant step in securing Parliamentary approval of the landmark Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2013, that was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha, a day after it had been adopted by the Rajya Sabha.
The law — setting up of a powerful anti-corruption watchdog that will have even the Prime Minister within its purview — was passed after eight unsuccessful attempts earlier.
The Lok Sabha passed the bid amid an incessant din by MPs from the Seemandhra region opposing the creation of a Telengana state. Besides the Samajwadi Party and the Shiv Sena, all other parties supported the Bill. SP and Sena MPs staged a walkout, and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav warn-ed that now even the PM will be questioned by a daroga (policeman). The Bill will become a law once it gets the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee.
Meanwhile, at Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his supporters celebrated the Bill’s passage. Hazare, 76, ended his nine-day fast accepting a glass of coconut water from two schoolchildren, and thanked MPs for the historic step. “I salute all MPs who helped pass the Bill,” he said.
Updated, tougher Lok Ayukta sought
Kruthi gonwar | Dc
Hyderabad: Though people are relieved by the fact that the Lokpal, Lok Ayuktas 2013 Bill has finally been passed, a few states like Andhra Pradesh, which already have established Lok Ayuktas, are now stressing on upgrading their institutions on par with the latest provisions of the Central Bill.
Experts and RTI activists from Hyderabad said the time is ripe not just to upgrade the existing Lok Ayukta Act, but also to provide more power, including a prosecution wing, to the toothless body.
Also, the process of the state’s bifurcation has given rise to the issue of setting up of another Lok ayukta.
Erasu Pratap Reddy, minister for law and courts, said the Lokpal Bill was the need of the hour. “Every state has a different version of the Lok Ayukta. While the Lok Ayukta in Hyderabad has lesser powers when compared to Bengaluru, there is now a need to look into it. The AP Lok Ayukta was set up according to a state Bill and at present it does not have many powers. It is just a recommendatory body. The new Lokpal Bill now has a prosecution wing and penal powers, making Lokpal a powerful body. This has to be followed by all states. We will see what the provisions of the Bill are and go by them,” he said.
When asked about the need for setting up of another Lok Ayukta as part of the state bifurcation, Mr Reddy said, “We will have to set up and appoint a Lok Ayukta. But I hope it remains a united state.”
Thakur Rajkumar Singh, founder of the Human Rights and Consumer Protection Cell, agreed with the need for an upgradation. “The present status of Lok Ayukta is like Vigilance, whereas we want it to be like Anti-Corruption Bureau,” he said.
Narender, an advocate with the High Court, said the passing of the Bill was a start.
“This step will help in eradication of corruption. We’ll still have to analyse the pros and cons and then go ahead with the upgradation of Lok Ayukta.”
