Jan Lokpal Bill to be tabled in next assembly session

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his government would table the contentious Jan Lokpal Bill, which brought his first tenure to an end within 49 days, in the next assembly session.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his government would table the contentious Jan Lokpal Bill, which brought his first tenure to an end within 49 days, in the next assembly session.

“Jan Lokayukta Bill almost ready. We should be able to present it in the next session of assembly (sic),” Kejriwal tweeted on Monday.

Sources said the government was seeking legal opinion on whether it was mandatory to get the central government’s approval on the subject. Delhi conducted a review of the draft that was prepared last time, and it was decided that more departments would be brought under it.

“The draft was already there and the administrative reforms department was asked to make some changes in the draft. It will be first cleared by the cabinet,” said a Delhi government official. It would be sent to the Centre for approval, the source said.

The name of the Bill, either Janlokpal or Delhi Lokayukta, will be known only when the draft goes through the cabinet. It is largely based on the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill. “But it differs in some regards. The inclusion of the CM’s office in the purview of the proposed law is one major difference,” the official added.

Officials said that the Jan Lokpal Bill would ensure that investigation of corruption charges and prosecution were completed within six months. “If found guilty, the corrupt official will serve appropriate jail time from one year to life, depending on the severity of the case. His or her property will be seized and he or she will be dismissed from job,” said the official.

After assuming office on December 28, 2013, Kejriwal had said his government would pass the promised Jan Lokpal Bill by the first week of February. But when that couldn’t come to fruition, he quit the CM’s post.