Agencies, New Delhi The Cabinet today cleared an amendment providing for the supervision of CBI to the Lokpal accepting nearly 14 of the 16 recommendations of the Rajya Sabha Standing Committee and doing away with the need for government approval for a preliminary inquiry against an erring official who will be given an opportunity to be heard.
The Cabinet after considering the recommendations/suggestions of the Standing Committee also leaves the appointment of Lokayuktas to the States concerned. The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 27, 2011 and came up for discussion and passing in the Upper House two days later but remained inconclusive. The House adopted a motion on May 21, 2012 referring the Bill to a Select Committee.
The Cabinet also gave its approval for a draft that provides for states to pass the Lokayukta Bill within 365 days of its passage by Parliament. Briefing newspersons, Minister of State for Personnel and Training V Narayanasamy said the committee had suggested 16 amendments including appointment of the Director of Prosecution by the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
The draft Bill accepted by the Cabinet also offers protection for public servants giving them the right to present their view to the Lokpal before arriving at a preliminary finding on the allegations rejecting the panel’s recommendation that the official facing an inquiry by the Lokpal should not be given an opportunity to be heard at the level of preliminary inquiry.
