Lokpal may be single-window stop for all corruption probe

Standing Committee to submit report to Parliament on Monday; at present graft cases are probed by agencies such as CBI, CVC and police

A Parliamentary panel examining the Lokpal bill may recommend that the proposed anti-corruption watchdog be a single window stop for probing all corruption complaints against government functionaries by ending multiplicity of investigating agencies to investigate graft cases.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, headed by Congress MP E M Sudarsana Natchiappan, has examined the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014, and will submit its report to Parliament tomorrow, official sources said.

At present graft cases are probed by several agencies including the CBI, CVC and police.

When contacted, the Committee chairman confirmed that the report will be submitted on Monday. "The report on the bill will be submitted to both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Monday," Natchiappan told PTI.

The amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 18 last year after which it was referred to the Committee on December 22. It was asked to submit its report by March 25 this year.

The panel had got first extension till July 30 to complete its task. Later, it had sought more time and got two more extensions, which ended on September 30 and November 15. It was again given some more time till December 10.

The Lokpal Act, 2013 provides for establishment of anti-graft watchdog Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption complaints against public servants.

The amendments to the Act include the one for allowing the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, in case there is no Leader of Opposition in the House, to be part of the selection panel for appointment of the chairperson and members of Lokpal.

The Lokpal selection committee headed by the Prime Minister has as its members the Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist who could be nominated by the President or any other member.

It will also recommend a scheme wherein the filing of information by the public servants is brought in harmony with the provisions of other laws and rules.

As per the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, every public servant shall file declaration, information and annual returns pertaining to his assets and liabilities along with that of his spouse and dependent children as on March 31, every year, on or before July 31 of that year.

However, the employees have been given time till April 15, next year to file the details for two years -- 2014 and 2015, as per the government's existing order.

Employees need to give details like cash in hand, bank deposits, investment in bonds, debentures, shares and units in companies or mutual funds, insurance policies, provident fund, personal loans and advance given to any person or entity, among others.

The panel will also give its recommendation on the tenure of eminent jurist nominated as member of the Lokpal and on providing for appropriate eligibility conditions for appointment to the post of the Director of Prosecution for the sake of functional independence of the CBI.