New Delhi: A proposed legislation to
protect whistleblowers and provide for severe punishment to
those exposing the identity of people disclosing information
was approved by the Government Monday.
The Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to
Persons Making the Disclosure Bill, 2010 provides the Central
Vigilance Commission powers of a civil court to hand down
harsh penalty to people revealing the identity of
whistleblowers, official sources said.
The bill was approved at a meeting of the Union
Cabinet.
The bill, which has provisions to prevent
victimisation or disciplinary action against whistleblowers
will cover, Central, State and Public Sector Employees.
The Bill is expected to encourage disclosure of
information in public interest and people who expose
corruption in government.
The bill has clauses which provide fine and penalties
to people, who punish those exposing corruption.
The CVC will be the nodal authority to handle
complaints against the state, Central government or PSU
employees.
According to reports, the CVC will also have powers to
punish those making frivolous complaints in accordance with
the bill`s provisions.
PTI
