I thought it right to write a post describing what Jan Lokpal Bill is and why is it needed. To give a brief history, Lokpal Bill was first introduced in parliament in 1968. It has been brought in parliament on eight times on later occasions, but has never been passed by the parliament. It is a bill that is supposed to give powers to citizens to sue the people responsible for corruption. A similar kind of independent agency disappeared corruption from Hong Kong a few decades ago.
The government is again thinking of introducing a Lokpal Bill in parliament this year, and the National Advisory Council (NAC) chaired by Sonia Gandhi is considering it. But as it stands today, the bill is riddled with loopholes, defeating its very purpose. Social activists have remarked it to be a toothless bill and not at all acceptable. An alternative bill, the Jan Lokpal Bill has been drafted by Justice Santosh Hegde (Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal after series of consultations with public and social activists. This bill is supported by Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan, Anna Hazare, etc.
The Dandi March 2 event and the subsequent ‘fast unto death’ by Anna Hazare from April 5 and Aug 16 were in support of this ‘Jan Lokpal Bill’. The activists have already sent the bill to the PM and all CMs but there has been no response. After the ‘fast unto death’ was announced by Anna Hazare, he was invited for talks by the PM, but the response was bad as the PM said the government has no time for corruption till May 13. This after the numerous corruption scams like the Commonwealth Games, Adarsh Society, 2G scam being uncovered in the past months.
The Zero Rupee Note - Stop Corruption
The present system to fight corruption in India can be described in some points as below –
- The Anti Corruption Branch and CBI comes under the government. Despite having evidence, it is very difficult to convict people as they have to take permission from the same bosses, against whom the case has to be investigated.
- No corrupt officer is dismissed from the job because Central Vigilance Commission, which is supposed to dismiss corrupt officers, is only an advisory body. Whenever it advises government to dismiss any senior corrupt officer, its advice is never implemented.
- No action is taken against corrupt judges because permission is required from the Chief Justice of India to even register an FIR against corrupt judges
- The functioning of CBI and vigilance departments is secret and hence it promotes corruption.
- Weak and corrupt people are appointed as heads of these institutions by the government.
- Citizens face harassment in government offices. Sometimes they are forced to pay bribes. One can only complaint to senior officers. No action is taken on complaints because senior officers also get their cut.
- Nothing in law to recover ill gotten wealth. A corrupt person can come out of jail and enjoy that money.
- Small punishment for corruption- Punishment for corruption is minimum 6 months and maximum 7 years.
As you can see, in the present system, there is no deterrent for any public official to engage in an act of corruption. Some of the salient features of the Jan Lokpal Bill are –
- An institution called LOKPAL in the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each state will be set up. These institutions will completely independent of the governments, just like the Supreme Court and the Election Commission. No minister can influence their investigations.
- Investigation in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt officer, or politician goes to jail in two years max.
- The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction.
- If any work of any citizen is not done in prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation to the complainant. So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case or any other work is not being done in prescribed time. Lokpal will have to get it done in a month’s time.
- Election of Lokpal officials – What if government appoint corrupt and weak people as Lokpal members? That won’t be possible because its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process.
- What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire functioning of Lokpal/ Lokayukta will be completely transparent. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the officer dismissed within two months.
- What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC, departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.
- The punishment would be minimum 5 years and maximum of life imprisonment.
Please read my two poems “Fast with Anna” and “Messenger of Hope” and join in this fight against corruption. We must remember Anna and others on fast are fighting for US and OUR India
Lokpal Bill: Silver lining to the dark cloud.
Well if no body will stand against corruption. then tomorrow might be we also face same problem as today poor people are facing. support jan lokpal bill.
This rite time to get something for poor countrymen which have actual victim of the Corruption
so…please support Anna’s Janlok Pal Bill…..for our better future
Anna hazare and a liitile people should not considered as public communitty
they have only ooooooo1% Represention . India is a Large contry having 12 Crore population
Thow it to the wast box and give uR TIME to political partees ,that they are more bounted with public
plz plz support jan lokpal bill……It is for us only…..
Dear Sumit.
This is Rajkumar & In regards to JANLOKEPAL BILL It seam’s that the all the political parties are corrupted from congress to CPM. They do not have any intention to bring Anna’s Jan Lokpal Bill. But they have all the intention to bring JOKPAL Bill.
If one temple in south (Kerela) can have more then 1 Lakh crore of belongings . Ie from one King family. So in same contest There are so many Chor congress + all parties+BJP x == they all woude have accumulated as per one uk base survey is 22 lacks Crore
Rajkumar
Anvarsadath i think you are from govt servent famaly which have lot of malai & mal to Khao pio & Sojaooo… for your info Anna have 100% watage because he is not from any chor politacal party
Thank u for this information, just rite amt of information that explains e-thing !!
I do agree that the concept is very good. But I have full doubt about its success.Just look at the institution of election – Theoretically any citizen can contest for a parliamentary seat. But the fact is that for a common man it is now almost impossible to win even a single seat. Political parties will certainly percolate into the lokpal in the guise of citizens. It is very difficult for a real citizen in the lokpal at the local level even to prosecute a corrupt official like a local sub inspector as he can always cause trouble and harassment later. So good peace loving people will soon keep away from such bodies leaving it to waiting political parties or other vested interests. Instead of going on building such institutions it is better to introduce effective tools like the RTI , more stress on values through education and other corrective measures. Some points in the proposed bill – like the one which pevents delay in government offices and agencies is very good
what Mr Keshav says is absoluteiy right. That is what is actually happening in India.No more institutin please.Let us not support any poltical party . instead elect only sincere people to the parliament
Must Must Watch Video For Every Indian…. Fight Against Corruption——–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neNDT4ZpARc
I agree with Keshav
Many times in ur life ,u need to take firm decisions for a better perspective .We have been trying different solutions to fight corruption but how many of you think that we have achived even a 1%success have we ??????? so this is the right time to try something different and that is lokpal .The hope of every indian that tomorrow we all will have a better future free from corruption.
As a Indian v hv 2 support annaji’s jan lokpal bill fr corruption free India. It’s must thng fr evry indian. It’s tme 2 do somthng against corruption. if nt nw den vil never.. So support anna n tel other as posible as u…
Kindly make us aware as to, on what issues there are differences between lokpal bill by anna and that of Govt in the present stage ?? What demands have been added to Govt lokpal bill and what are still being demanded by anna for which he wants to sit on hunger strike,,
I am afraid another dangerous trap is unfolding. Is economically bruised US planning to incite the Arab world like situation in India through this popular movement ? Every passing day strenthens this possibility.
I support ANNA HAZARE and welcome Lokpal Bill, I request to all Indians who against corruption please stay with ANNA till the end. b’coz the running govt. can do anything for spoil this war against corruption. So support anna & tell other as posible as u…
Dear Amrit,
Kindly google search Jan lokpal draft. U will get all the information regarding the differences between government bill and anna’s bill. There is no substance in government bill. they have proposed this bill because they can escape from the punishment they would have to face if anna’s bill is passed….i request everyone of u to support anna on this issue.
as a indian i do everything for my india, plz try to understand what our annaji is doing
n try to understand what is jan lokapa bil ? i am a indian annaji also indian ….. what
about you all. you are all not a indian. if you are all a true india you all have to support
annaji plz. annaji you are great……… anna want’s to make corruption free india. jai hind
I agree with VIKAS BHARDWAJ
lokpal bill is act to saving money of our country to providing the action against to those people are involved corruption .this act work as development of our country and to provide the security all people those are suffering from poverty level also, so every Indian should be fully support to this bill.
We got a leader to fight against corruption. We must support annaji in implementing lokpal bill to build a corruption free India. It is time to do somthing against corruption. These all for common people and not for politicians or people in power. So support anna ji and tell others as posible as you can.
Corruption is the factor which draw bad people to high positions. Politicians want power coz of the scope for making money thru corruption in our country. Eliminate corruption and we will see only good people in power. I support Anna. Vande matram. Jai Hind.
Because of verymuch corrupted govt. babus, officers and politicianas we are backwords, if we can find the all these corrupted money which is in our country & also deposited in other country’s bank, we will be the worlds rechest & powerfull country. So it is every indians duty, to support ANNA & forced to the govt. of INDIA to pass the JAN LOKAPAL BILL so we & our coming generations will roam in DREAM INDIA.
Nice post, informative.
When Swamy Nigamanand died , fasting for a noble cause we had no tears to shed. When the ostracised family of Mr. Mallikarjun H bettagi sits for Dharna at Belgaum for 927 days seeking justice and then resorts to Urulu seve on the public highway, we dont even bother to look into it. When we see a man lifting the excreta from a blocked tiolet by hand , we are not moved even by an inch. We must light the candle inside our hearts, to drive away the darkness of our corrupt heart. Let us first use this opportunity to clean up our hearts first and then show our sincerity publicly
Peoples of India have awake after 60+years of Hibernation period after independence and for new independence.Awakening is due to global worming caused by frequent corruption & polution of politicians -2011
i agree with keshav
Can this happen? We all will have a better future. I am in complete agree with Mr. Anna Hazare
Anna is a 74 year old person fighting against the massive corruption in India, He is fighting for all whether he/she could be Hindu, muslim ,lower , upper , middle caste person and infact for the Youngsters of india who will see future of the country , Now it is the time to decide that we and all like such indians waana see their coming generation in Corruption free enviornment or in loads of corruption which would poison their future also….. To be in short IF you love ur country then The time has come to take initiative and Fight for The Imposition of JAN LOK PAL BILL………
This is the only way to sweep courrption. rich man getting richer day by day while poor one is getting poor. we dont need to help any poor directely, just if we support anna that makes poor man’s life easier. believe me, our taxes and our things going into pockets of uneducated and courrpted people….in near future only politicians and convited people wil be able to survive………think and be united to support Anna……..
As a indian I support Mr. anna hazare, who is fight for corruption. Annaji We are with you
JAI HIND, BANDE MATRAM
I support the Jan Lokpal Bill,but you r never mentioned here that,if the Chairperson of the Lokpal found corrupt then who will,investigate the charges.
Secondly, there must be lifer punishment and if charges are grave then there must be hang till death punishment be given to the corrupt officials and the ministers or the MLAs and the MPs.
If dozens of these corrupt people will hang,then the corruption in our country will decrease to 70 percent.
I WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS DECLARED TO JOIN ANNA IN HIS FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION MOVEMENT. I SALUTE ANNA AND HIS TEAM FOR THIS SECOND FREEDOM MOVEMENT
This will be the real Independence (Corruption Point of View) for all level of peoples in India.
guys i have read all your comments but would like your attention on a different platform World bank has invested morethan 14 trillion dollors in india and all has gone to the pockets of politicians and bureaucrats of india primarily to the people of congress as per the present scenario US is losing its identity and within next 4 yrs their economy will crash, to them India is place of investment and return but till now they cannot do anything of these politicians because of the poor legislation in India, so they are funding this Anna Hazzare movement. The first declaration is going to be post the completion of Jan Lok pal bill is bring our money back from US as a resultthis money will reach to the Indian Govt and then US will demand for its funding through world bank given to india and the entire money will reach to US and people of this nation will not be able to beniefit from the movement but one thing is for sure this movement is the last hope of all indians( to me its the same situation as been done by MK Gandhi on namak toro kanoon and in just few nights gandhi becam a national leader………………..though he was not a true leader
only when “The Jan Lokpall bill” is passed India will have the real freedom and the real vision of Father of Nation come true. The Ram bhoomi, or the Gandhian state is only possible in the real sense of the tern only when this bill is passed. But just passing this bill is not enough. Education has to be ensured at all levels to the implementation. All should be taught the values of honesty, sincerity and transparency. IT is a process. Enacting this bill kick starts this process. Each and every citizen of India work for a India where there is 0% corruption, where “the heart of education is the education of the heart”, bringing back the value of Glorious traditional India.
one independence was given by mahatmaji but the true independence will be given by annaji
I agree with janlokpl bill. This is the only way to sweep courrption. rich man getting richer day by day while poor one is getting poor. we dont need to help any poor directely, just if we support anna that makes poor man’s life easier. believe me, our taxes and our things going into pockets of uneducated and courrpted people….in near future only politicians and convited people wil be able to survive………think and be united to support Anna…….. The corrupted peron or officer must be hang till death.
I salute to Anna and his team for the fight of this second freedom and pray to god to give power and blessing to Anna for this fight. “Jai Hind”
Catch my thoughts about The Jan Lokpal Bill
gandhiji saved us from the britishians. But now some peoples or some politicians who are try to take to our country into their caustidy. These type of politicians are much dangerious from the briticians . so there is only one way to remove the politicians , that is we all Indians are support to Anna and we fight against corruption . If we all Indians are fight for Jan Lokpal bill then we will be independent from the politicians. BANDE MATARAM
I agree with janlokpl bill.
Anna just give a sign and all youth will fall on ur feet and act with effective actions to face everything with bravery, jst a sign and we will be standing for you and with you
please support to anna Hajare………..
me & my friend also supported……….
i Xtremely condemn corruption which is havin long bulky n deep roots in Kashmir where to get even a licence,passport takes years of toil and money;all government officers from constable to ministers are corrupted n now it is fashion in Kashmir any government employee is askin ‘i’l do it but put out somthin 4m ur pocket’…….Anna Hazare supportr
I agree with jan lokpal bill and each indian should support Annaji.
A nine year’s view of jan lokpal
lokpal ka matlab kya hai
janata ki jo sune pukar
janch parakh kar saty jaan kar
maar bhagaye bhrashtachar
neta afsar bhrasht hue to
samay aaj ye aaya hai,
anna ke samarthan me
jan saalab umad aaya hia
aab to jaago aab to suno
unki jinhone tumhe chuna
maano loktantr mein jan bhavana
jan lokpal ko amal me laao
jantantr ko safal banao
janata ki iccha ko mano
jago! jan bhavana ko pehechano
janlokpal ko amal me lao
bhrasht tantr ko jan tantr banao
apurv dev,blueblls school inter national
After read this article and all comments.I go with anna hazara lokpal bill. Yes off course common man dont have any time to fight with corruption,they always go for easy way to do their work as soon as possible, corruption make only by comman man or some stupid people,who dont have time and make lot of obstracles against other person in their future. anna’s bill will work if our mind and soul will agree about this. If no body will change , then there is no need to take this action and this is total money and time waste by poor goverment. So, we (comman man) have to change and fight this protest..
HOPE FOR ANTI CORRUPT INDIA.
THANKS,,,
I completely support Annaji’s Jan Lokpal Bill. I am sure, it will be able to remove corruption out of our country. Vande Matram!!