Lokpal bill

Lokpal bill was meant for reducing the corruption at higher level. There were laws
especially to tackle at lower levels, but there is no specific law which can check the
corruption at higher levels. There is Central Vigilance Commission for overseeing
corruption charges against officers. In the same manner, there is need of a mechanism
which can create a good environment at higher stage.
History of Lokpal bill

In 1968, Mrs. Indira Gandhi had proposed Lokpal bill in Parliament. But, dissolution
of Lok Sabha had not given chance to the bill to fructify. There were total ten attempts
in 42 years of time, but the bill was not made into the law.

• There were two attempts by Mrs. Indira Gandhi to bring this bill into
law in 1968 and 1971. They met failures due to dissolution of Lok Sabha two
times.

• In 1977, there was an attempt by Morarji Desai to fructify the law

which was not done due to dissolution of Lok Sabha.

• This time Rajiv Gandhi had taken initiative for this bill in 1985. Again
the same issue of dissolution haunted.

• In 1989, V.P. Singh had proposed the bill but later taken back.

• In 1996, Deve Gowda government had taken the issue and no decision
was taken until dissolution of Lok Sabha.

• In 1998 and 2001, A.B. Vajpayee had taken the issue of Lokpal, but the
situation was not changed.

• There were two attempts by Congress government in 2005 and 2008.

Nothing was done to Lokpal bill until now.

Now, there was prepared a new Lokpal bill 2010 to be passed as law.
Criticism against Lokpal bill

• Lokpal cannot take any case as suo motu. People have to make their
complaints with speaker of Lok Sabha or chairperson of Rajya Sabha. The
complaints which are approved by them will reach Lok Pal. As speaker of
Lok Sabha is on the side of ruling party, he may not work transparently on
that issue. Hence, the intent of bill will not be fulfilled.

• Lokpal is considered as an advisory body. It has to table its report to

competent authority. Hence, the direct action is not able to be taken by
Lokpal itself. The competent authority may not take action due to political
problems.

• Lokpal is restricted to preliminary enquiry. It is not endorsed with any

powers to file a case against culprit.

• There is questioning of what the role of CBI is with the advent of

Lokpal.

• In Lokpal bill, there is stringent action against fake complaints. Lokpal

can send the person to prison in such cases and civil right activists question
why culprits cannot be sent to prison if it is proved. There is provision which
lays Rs.50, 000 fine on the person who lodges a complaint if it proves to be
false. This makes people not lodge a complaint even injustice done to them.

• Generally, there is an institution of CVC to deal with the corruption

cases against officers. When Lokpal is to deal with politicians, there comes
conflict due to involvement of both in the same case. Political corruption and
bureaucratic corruptions always go together. Hence, one case is to be dealt
by two different institutions which can obstruct the justice if the two
institutions come with different judgements. Instead of deciding who the
culprit is, the institutions have to fight.
• The selection committee consists of political figures. Hence, they select
the person who can favour them instead of who can support the system.

• Lokpal has no role in investigating charges against Prime minister in

issues related to external affairs. This cannot cover all the areas and at the
same time it is not powerful to tackle the corruption.