Anti-graft Bill to be taken up in RS today
7 May 2015 6:13 AM IST
An anti-corruption amendment bill aimed at enhancing penalty for graft to a maximum of seven years from at present five years, among other, is slated to be taken up for discussion in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. According to the schedule of legislative business of the Rajya Sabha for Thursday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh to move the bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, be taken into consideration and it be passed.
The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2015 also aims to provide a shield of protection to government employees after they have resigned or retired from the service. Union Cabinet had on April 29 given its nod to official amendments to the bill that provides for more stringent punishment for the offences of bribery--both for the bribe giver and the bribe taker.
The Cabinet has enhanced penal provisions under the bill from minimum six months to three years and from maximum five years to seven years. The seven year imprisonment brings corruption to the heinous crime category. The bill proposes to ensure speedy conclusion of corruption related cases by providing that trial be completed within two years period. The amendments being brought through the bill propose to confer the powers of attachment upon the trial court (Special Judge) instead of the District Court.
It is also proposed to extend the protection of prior sanction for prosecution to public servants who cease to hold office due to retirement, resignation etc. “Further, prior sanction for inquiry and investigation shall be required from the Lokpal or Lokayukta, as the case may be, for investigation of offences relatable to recommendations made or decision taken by a public servant in discharge of official functions or duties,” as per the official amendments to be included in the bill.
Govt nod to amendment in Whistleblowers Protection Act
Government on Wednesday approved amendment in the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2011 to keep issues of national security out of its purview. The decision came on a day when Congress President Sonia Gandhi attacked the government in Lok Sabha for not notifying the bill despite it getting the President’s assent in May 2014.
RS passes bill on exchange of territories with B'desh
Rajya Sabha on Wednesday unanimously passed a historic bill to operationalise the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh that provides for exchange of territories to settle the 41-year border issue. The Constitution 119th) Amendment Bill, which will allow the operationalisation of the 1974 India-Bangladesh Land Boundary agreement, was passed with full support from 181 members. The bill will be taken up by Lok Sabha tomorrow. "This is an historic situation. We are going to implement the agreement after 41 years. I am happy that everyone supported the bill," said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj while moving the bill for passage. Talking about BJP's opposition to the measure during UPA's tenure, she said, "Earlier we had opposed it. We were told to include Assam, which has been done." Contending that the Agreement will benefit both countries, she said the Union Home Ministry will be the nodal ministry for implementing it.
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