Government set to take ordinance route for Rahul’s pet bills

New Delhi: With Telangana conundrum leaving little time for other bills to be pushed through in Parliament, the government looks to set to go for the ordinance route to ensure that Rahul Gandhi’s pet anti-graft bills become a reality before the Lok Sabha polls. Besides the two anti-corruption bills, three other legislations could not be passed during the just-concluded Parliament session.

Reports said ordinances were ready on Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill and Right of Citizens for Time-Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill. The proposed ordinances could be brought before the Union Cabinet this week, reports added. These are among the anti-corruption bills being pushed by Rahul Gandhi to create a "framework" to fight graft. These proposed legislations could not be passed during the extended Winter Session of Parliament in view of disturbances. Along with these, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, Rights of Persons with Disability Bill and Security Laws (Amendment) Bill are also expected to be brought before the Cabinet this week. According to the Prevention of Corruption Act (Amendment) Bill, an investigating agency will have to seek prior permission from the government before questioning a retired bureaucrat in a corruption case. The provisions aimed at protecting retired bureaucrats will come into effect only after Parliament gives its nod to the changes in the Prevention of Corruption Act (Amendment) Bill, 1988. At present, there is no legal provision for investigating agencies to seek prior permissions to quiz a former government employee. With PTI inputs