Govt drops clause, commoner can't seek removal of Lokpal

Government has removed a clause in the Lokpal Bill which allowed any citizen to move for the removal of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Government has removed a clause in the Lokpal Bill which allowed any citizen to move for the removal of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

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According to another official amendment circulated by the government in the Rajya Sabha, the Lokpal Bill will be applicable to a state only upon passing a resolution by the state legislature.

Instead of adopting the resolution, the state legislature can also enact a law keeping the Lokayukta provision in the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill as a model resolution, said the amendments moved by minister of state for personnel V Narayanasamy.

The bill in its earlier form made it necessary for states to create a Lokayukta on the lines of Lokpal at the Centre.

Now, only MP can move for removal of a member or the head of the Lokpal panel.

Two clauses in the Bill, moved in the Rajya Sabha during the last winter session which allowed the President or any citizen to move for their removal, have now been dropped.

According to the amendment, the move for removal can be made only through a petition signed by not less than 100 MPs.

"...Supreme Court, on a reference being made to it by the President on a petition signed by at least one hundred members of Parliament," read the amendment to Clause 37.