Lokpal bill to cover PM

New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) After several abortive attempts,
Indian government is once again working on a law for
establishment of the institution of Lokpal or ombudsman to go
into allegations of corruption against Indian public
functionaries, including the Indian Prime Minister.
The draft Lokpal Bill, 2010 provides for filing of
complaints of allegations of corruption against Prime
Minister, ministers and MPs with the Lokpal.
According to the Bill, the Lokpal shall consist of a
Chairperson who is or has been a Chief Justice or a judge of
the Indian Supreme Court. It will also have two members who
have either been the judges of the Supreme Court or the Chief
Justices of the Indian High Courts.
The Lokpal Bill has had a long and chequered history.
Legislations in the past had included the Prime Minister
within the ambit of the bill only on a few occasions.
The current bill provides for inquiry against Prime
Minister but it has to be routed through the Speaker of the
Lok Sabha and the Lokpal can hear it only if it is cleared by
the Speaker.
The National Commission for Review of the Working of the
Constitution in 2001 had recommended that the Prime Minister
be kept out of the Lokpal's purview since he occupies a unique
position and is the head of the entire governmental structure.
The Commission, headed by retired Chief Justice M N
Venkatachaliah, had said that the Prime Minister as the symbol
of stability and continuity of the regime should not be
exposed to the risks of well-orchestrated attempts to malign
his image and reputation. (MORE) PTI