PRESS STATEMENT by Shanti Bhushan

WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING BACK ON THE KEY PROVISIONOF ITS OWN LOKPAL BILL 2011.
All right thinking people in the country will have to ponder over this mystery.The Govt.’ own Lokpal Bill 2011, in section 12(1) provided as follows:-
“12(1) Not withstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Lokpal shall constitute an investigating wing for the purpose of conducting investigation of any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant, punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.”
It now appears that the Government is developing cold feet on this key provision i.e.Section 12 giving the function of investigation to an independent Lokpal.Everybody knows that “INVESTIGATION” is the real function, which alone can get apublic servant punished.Till now these investigation agencies have been the C.B.I. at the centre and the AntCorruption Bureau of the state police in the states. These have been under the administrativecontrol of the Governments. The appointments, promotions, transfers and disciplinary actionagainst the police officers of these organizations were made by the Government. TheGovernments have been shielding these corrupt officers and corruption has been growing

tomonumental proportions.This was the reason, why a Lokpal Authority which was independent of thegovernment was needed, which alone could have put a stop to this menace

of growingcorruption.Evidently the Government and the politicians know this and realize that if the power of investigation is conferred on an independent Lokpal, their coffers would start drying up.Nothing else can explain the Government‘volte face on Sec. of 12 its own Lokpal bill2011.(

SHANTI BHUSHAN)20.12.2011

The government has started showing its true colours.
They have always been assuring that they will come out with a strong Lokpal bill but when it comes to action it develops cold feet.
Is it any surprise that Anna is always saying the the Congress is the main culprit.
Let the government put forward the bill as desired by Anna. If then the opposition does not support it, then we shall know who is to blame.
But now, it appears truly that the Congress is the main culprit and we shall all vote against the Congress party