Prime Minister clears Lokpal draft; to be tabled on Dec 27

The Lokpal bill prepared by government will be tabled in both houses of Parliament on Dec 27 as the Winter Session of the Parliament being extended till Dec 29 to pass the anti-graft bill. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has cleared the note on the Lokpal Bill after go through the final draft. Moreover,
the government made it clear that Lokpal will only have enquiry powers but cannot investigate. Sources said that the Lokpal can only prosecute on cases referred by it to investigating agencies. It is also learnt that the government is also proposing to set up Directorate of Public Prosecution and relieve the investigating agencies of the powers to prosecute. Moreover, the Directorate of Prosecution will stay with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while vigilance powers of various departments will remain the same. Government will not give administrative power to Lokpal over CBI in proposed Lokpal bill. Sources also said that only corruption cases referred by Lokpal to the CBI can be under subservience of the Lokpal. The Lokpal bill is scheduled to come up for approval in the cabinet meeting to be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, Dec 20. If the Union Cabinet clears the anti-graft bill, it is likely to be tabled on Wednesday, Dec 27 in both houses of Parliament.