Lokpal at last (Appointment of the anti-graft ombudsman)

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 Lokpal at last (Appointment of the anti-graft ombudsman)

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Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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• The first Lokpal of India : After an unjustified delay of 5 years, upon the Supreme Court's prodding, India now gets its first Lokpal with the appointment of Justice P.C. Ghose. This is a milestone in the battle to root out corruption in high places.
• Anti-corruption ombudsman : For five decades, the concept of an institutional system to fight corruption was being deliberated upon. The law came in 2013, was put into effect on 16-01-2014, and Anna Hazare's landmark anti-corruption agitation got some credit for it.
• What after that : There was no movement, leading to the SC's repeated prodding to know what the plan was. The lack of political will for Lokpal became visible. The only things that happened were -

1. Report by a Standing Committee of Parliament, and
2. Amendments passed on declaration of assets by public servants.

• Final ultimatum : The SC issued a strong ultimatum, and the two-stage process started.

1. A search committee is formed, that recommends a panel of names to the selection committee
2. The selection committee (PM, Speaker LS, LoP, CJI or nominee, eminent jurist) chooses from the short-list for posts of Lokpal chair, and members (judicial and non-judicial).

• Waiting for amendments to pass : The GoI earlier said it was waiting for amendments (as per Standing Committee report) to pass. One was to try for inclusion of leader of largest opposition party in selection panel, if there was no recognised LoP.

1. The SC in 2017 rejected this excuse stating that the process could continue otherwise too. (note that similar amendments were made for CBI Director and CIC selections)
2. Not attending : Mallikarjun Kharge refused to attend as a special invitee, and wanted full membership.

• Lokpal has arrived : It will take over the work of prosecution sanctioning, ordering preliminary enquiries and full-investigations (by any agency including the CBI). The Lokpal just may end up being a historic institution, but it is too early to tell.
• Summary : The Lokpal has finally arrived in India, with a potential to be a historic anti-corruption institution.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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