Parliamentary panel to give report on Lokpal by June

New Delhi: A parliamentary committee examining the Lokpal amendment Bill is expected to submit its final report by June end.

"We have got time till June 30 to give report on Lokpal amendments Bill," Committee's chief and Congress MP E M Sudarsana Natchiappan told PTI.

He said the panel is hearing views of individuals and civic organisations among others on the proposed amendments in the anti-corruption legislation.

"A meeting of the panel was held on April 15 where views from civic society people and others were heard. There will be more meetings on the matter," Natchiappan said.

The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice is examining the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 8 last year and referred to the Committee for examination and report by March 25.

However, it could not submit its report within the deadline and had sought more time from Rajya Sabha chairman to complete the assigned work.

It is now clear that the Lokpal legislation will not be taken up during the second half of Budget Session of Parliament, which began today and scheduled to end on May 8.

The panel has already elicited the views of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on the proposed changes in the anti-corruption Bill.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act provides for establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries.

The amendments being brought through the Bill seek to provide an alternative of the leader of the largest Opposition party in Lok Sabha, in the event there is no Leader of Opposition in the House, for being represented on the selection panel for appointment of the chairperson and members of Lokpal.

The Lokpal selection committee, led by the Prime Minister, has as its members the Lok Sabha Speaker, the 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.

The Bill also aims to provide for qualifications for appointment of Director of Prosecution in CBI for the sake of its functional independence. It seeks to lay down the tenure of the eminent jurist nominated as member of the Lokpal, among other changes.