What is the lokpal bill

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday a day after the anti-graft legislation underwent amendments during its course in Rajya Sabha. Here are the main provisions of the amended Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday a day after the anti-graft legislation underwent amendments during its course in Rajya Sabha. Here are the main provisions of the amended Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill:

Lokayuktas

• States to set up Lokayuktas by law within 365 days
• States have the freedom to determine the nature and type of Lokayukta

Penalty

• Imprisonment up to one year and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh for false and frivolous complaints
• Public servants can face imprisonment up to 7 years
• Criminal misconduct and habitually abetting corruption can attract jail terms up to 10 years

Jurisdiction

Included: The PM, ministers, current and former legislators, govt employees, employees of firms funded or controlled by Centre

• Societies and trusts that collect public money, receive funds from foreign sources, and have income level above a certain threshold

Excluded: Bodies creating endowments for or performing religious or charitable functions

• Inquiry to be completed within 60 days and investigation to be completed within 6 months
• Lokpal shall order a probe only after hearing the public servant
• Inquiry against PM has to be held in-camera and approved by two-thirds of full bench of Lokpal

CBI

• Lokpal can superintend the CBI in relation to the cases referred by it to the probe agency
• CBI officers investigating cases referred by Lokpal can be transferred without its approval

Prosecution

• Lokpal can initiate prosecution through its Prosecution Wing before the Special Court. Trial to be completed within two years

Funding

• All expenses to be charged to the Consolidated Fund of India (Funds available to the Lokpal will not be dependent on the annual budget voted by Lok Sabha)