The government on Tuesday tabled the Whistleblower Bill, 2011, in the Rajya Sabha with minor amendment to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha.
The amendment exempts matters impacting national security, sovereignty and integrity of the country from the ambit of the bill. The Special Protection Group has also been exempted from the bill.
However, corruption and human rights matters in defence forces and intelligence agencies will be covered by the bill.
The bill, which was passed by th Lok Sabha in December 2011, was introduced by Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office V Narayansamy. Once the bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha, it will go to the Lok Sabha for endorsement of the amendments.
The bill also provides a regular mechanism to encourage people to disclose information on corruption or wilful misuse of power by public servants, including ministers.
Narayansamy said the bill aims to provide security to whistle blowers. The minister said the bill also has provisions for punishment for disclosing the identity of the whistle blower.
The bill gives adequate protection to people reporting corruption or wilful misuse of discretion which causes demonstrable loss to the government or commission of a criminal offence by a public servant.
The bill establishes procedure to inquire into the disclosures and provides for adequate safeguards against victimisation of the whistle-blower. However, the bill has provisions for punishment for false or frivolous complaints.
Narayansamy said as per provisions of the bill, before closing any complaint of corruption, the competent authority will have to discuss the matter with the complainant.
Initiating the debate on the bill , BJP’s deputy leader in the House Ravishankar Prasad supported the bill, but raised the issue of involvement of corporate sector in corruption, the issue fervently raised by anti-graft activists.
Clear distinction
Shantaram Naik (Congress) wanted provision for making a clear distinction between a pure complaint and a frivolous complaint. CPM MP Tapan Sen demanded inclusion of matters related to tax administration into the ambit of the bill.