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Key India Anti-Corruption Bill To Come Before MPs
BBC NEWS, SOUTH ASIA
August 4, 2011: The controversial Lokpal Bill, which aims to set up an anti-corruption watchdog is set to be introduced in the lower house of the Indian parliament. Activists have criticized the proposed law for failing to include the prime minister and senior judiciary within the remit of a new ombudsman. Activist Anna Hazare has called the bill a "cruel joke". He said he would go on hunger strike from August 16.
India has recently been hit by a string of high-profile corruption scandals. Activists led by Mr Hazare have been pushing the government for a strong ombudsman who will have the power to investigate corruption charges against the prime minister, senior judges and MPs, among others. Mr Hazare went on a hunger strike in April to protest against government inaction on corruption.
Last Thursday, the government approved a draft of the law that allows citizens to approach the ombudsman with complaints against federal ministers and bureaucrats, who are protected under India's present anti-corruption laws. But the campaigners and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticized the government's decision to keep the prime minister and senior judges out of the proposed law.
Some of the recent corruption allegations to have rocked India include a multi-billion dollar telecoms scam, financial malpractices in connection with the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and the diversion of houses for war widows to civil servants. A recent survey said corruption in India cost billions of dollars and threatened to derail growth.
Critics of the government say the recent allegations point to a pervasive culture of corruption in Mr Singh's administration - adding to the difficulties of a politician once seen as India's most honest.
