Assocham wants PM out of Lokpal

Assocham is the first chamber to launch the initiative while all other industry bodies had generally hailed the anti-corruption agitation launched by Anna Hazare seeking a strong Lokpal bill.

However, Assocham said a mechanism could be devised to scrutinise the PMO’s discretionary or commercial decisions without undermining the independence of the institution.

Appreciating the government’s initiative on the issue, Assocham also suggested that the Supreme Court and High Courts’ judges be kept outside the purview of the bill.

“A Comprehensive Judicial Standard and Accountability bill should deal with professional misconduct or corruption cases,” it said. Assocham said the appointment and initiating disciplinary action in respect of Lokpal be vested with a high-power committee consisting of the prime minister, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the leaders of ruling and opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha and the chief justice of India.