<p>A flurry of activity was seen on Thursday in Delhi government’s law department over brining in the much awaited Jan Lokpal Bill as the 15-day deadline set by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on December 29 ends in the next couple of days. The Bill is now likely to be passed early next month. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The chief minister announced that a committee was formed under Chief Secretary S K Srivastava to submit the draft of the Jan Lokpal Bill by January 15. Kejriwal said he was hopeful of brining the anti-corruption bill by month-end or the first week of February in Ramlila Ground.<br /><br />Law Minister Somnath Bharti held a meeting with officials to discuss and give final touches to the ground work for the legislation that would give a solid legal backing to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s anti-corruption campaign.<br /><br /> “We are working on it,” said Bharti, on being asked about the latest developments on the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill.<br /><br />Apart from the anti-graft bill, the government was working to fill up 100 vacant posts of judges, said sources.<br /><br />During the run-up to the December 4, 2012 Assembly polls, Kejriwal had promised to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days of coming to power. <br /><br />After his party’s victory, Kejriwal indicated that the deadline may not be met and sought more time to give the city a strong legal platform to fight corruption. He also pointed to the legislative hurdles in bringing about a new legislation and gave the example of an Assembly rule which makes it mandatory for a state to seek the central government’s approval before introducing a new law.<br /><br />A source in the Delhi government said corruption “is a big issue” for the chief minister but there were some irritants in executing the Janlokpal Bill plan.<br /><br />The government may consider a revision of the provisions in the transaction of business rules of Delhi Assembly that talk about seeking approval from the central government while introducing some legislations, said an AAP leader.<br /><br />“The government has to be pro-active in correcting the wrongs that are perceived as anti-people,” said a cabinet member.<br /><br />After the government has delivered on three of its promises – free 700 litre water daily, cut in power bills by half and launch of an anti-corruption helpline – public expectations on the Janlokpal Bill have risen.<br /><br />A Delhi Congress leader said the city already has a Lokayukta. “If the AAP government wants, it can give the institution more powers. There is no need to bring in a new Janlokpal Bill. It will amount to an attempt to reinvent the wheel.” </p>
<p>A flurry of activity was seen on Thursday in Delhi government’s law department over brining in the much awaited Jan Lokpal Bill as the 15-day deadline set by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on December 29 ends in the next couple of days. The Bill is now likely to be passed early next month. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The chief minister announced that a committee was formed under Chief Secretary S K Srivastava to submit the draft of the Jan Lokpal Bill by January 15. Kejriwal said he was hopeful of brining the anti-corruption bill by month-end or the first week of February in Ramlila Ground.<br /><br />Law Minister Somnath Bharti held a meeting with officials to discuss and give final touches to the ground work for the legislation that would give a solid legal backing to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s anti-corruption campaign.<br /><br /> “We are working on it,” said Bharti, on being asked about the latest developments on the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill.<br /><br />Apart from the anti-graft bill, the government was working to fill up 100 vacant posts of judges, said sources.<br /><br />During the run-up to the December 4, 2012 Assembly polls, Kejriwal had promised to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill within 15 days of coming to power. <br /><br />After his party’s victory, Kejriwal indicated that the deadline may not be met and sought more time to give the city a strong legal platform to fight corruption. He also pointed to the legislative hurdles in bringing about a new legislation and gave the example of an Assembly rule which makes it mandatory for a state to seek the central government’s approval before introducing a new law.<br /><br />A source in the Delhi government said corruption “is a big issue” for the chief minister but there were some irritants in executing the Janlokpal Bill plan.<br /><br />The government may consider a revision of the provisions in the transaction of business rules of Delhi Assembly that talk about seeking approval from the central government while introducing some legislations, said an AAP leader.<br /><br />“The government has to be pro-active in correcting the wrongs that are perceived as anti-people,” said a cabinet member.<br /><br />After the government has delivered on three of its promises – free 700 litre water daily, cut in power bills by half and launch of an anti-corruption helpline – public expectations on the Janlokpal Bill have risen.<br /><br />A Delhi Congress leader said the city already has a Lokayukta. “If the AAP government wants, it can give the institution more powers. There is no need to bring in a new Janlokpal Bill. It will amount to an attempt to reinvent the wheel.” </p>
