Amended whistleblowers’ law passed by LS

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to amend the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act 2011 amid resistance from the Opposition, which sought that it be sent to the Standing Committee, with Congress and Left members staging a walkout.

As the opposition parties urged the minister to send the Whistleblowers Protection (Amendment) Bill 2015 to the parliamentary panel, Minister of State for Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh  declined the demand saying it had already been sent to the committee earlier.

When Singh said Congress president Sonia Gandhi had also spoken about the Bill earlier, Gandhi interjected and said “we wanted a strong Bill”.

He also sought to allay Opposition apprehensions, saying proper care has been taken to ensure the safety of whistleblowers. “The protection of whistleblowers have been adequately done. 

Complainants’ name will not be disclosed and secrecy will be ensured. The matter will be kept in a sealed envelope, which will be opened by two officers of the competent authority,” he said.