<p>The government on Tuesday tabled the Whistleblower Bill, 2011, in the Rajya Sabha with minor amendment to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />However, corruption and human rights matters in defence forces and intelligence agencies will be covered by the bill.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Clear distinction<br /><br />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.</p>
<p>The government on Tuesday tabled the Whistleblower Bill, 2011, in the Rajya Sabha with minor amendment to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />However, corruption and human rights matters in defence forces and intelligence agencies will be covered by the bill.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Clear distinction<br /><br />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.</p>
