JOIN USThe Delhi government on Monday tabled a landmark Janlokpal Bill to make the city a “Corruption Free Zone” as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called it a “historic” day.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia presented the Delhi Janlokpal Bill 2015 saying it was an attempt at revamping and strengthening the anti-corruption legislation in the city.
“It is a memorable moment for all of us, including party workers across the country and abroad, who have dreamt of a powerful Janlokpal since 2011,” Sisodia said.
The ruling AAP legislators welcomed the tabling of the Bill with thumping of desks even as the Opposition BJP stayed away from the House in protest. The Janlokpal shall be empowered to probe allegation of corruption occurring in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, thus brining central government employees, Union ministers, police and corporates involved in graft under its purview.
“The Bill is for fulfilling the aspirations of the next generation,” he said, adding that the Janlokpal will be empowered to attach assets and recover penalty from a corrupt person up to the limit of five times of the loss caused to the exchequer by his acts.
The tabling of the Bill which gives sweeping powers to Janlokpal for speedy trial and provides for punishment of up to life imprisonment to the corrupt fulfilled the Kejriwal government’s poll promise of providing a new legislation to fight corruption. The AAP government had to quit in 2014 over the issue of Janlokpal.
Kejriwal, who made his first appearance in the House during the ongoing winter session, tweeted soon after the tabling of the Bill: “Congratulations Manish for presenting the strongest anti-corruption law of independent India - Delhi Janlokpal Bill 2015. A historic day.”The Delhi Cabinet had on November 18 approved the Janlokpal Bill, paving way for its tabling in the ongoing Assembly session.
The Bill proposes to make investigation into corruption allegations time bound, with maximum time limit of six months and up to 12 months in exceptional cases. The Janlokpal, which have powers of a civil court, can transfer or suspend government officials if found guilty of corruption.
The Bill aims at bringing employees of the corporates under its purview and also carries provisions to protect whistleblowers.