Cabinet approves amendments to be made to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for amending the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (1 of 2014) and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946) and for introduction of a Bill in Parliament during the winter session of Parliament, on the lines of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas and other related law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 with such modifications or changes of drafting and consequential nature, if any, as may be considered necessary. 

 

File Picture: Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Modi

A press note released by the Press Information Bureau after the cabinet meet says "The proposed amendments will address some crucial deficiencies noticed in both the Acts: as under:

a) as regards the composition of the Selection Committee for selection of the Chairperson and Members of Lokpal, by providing, inter alia, that when there is no Leader of Opposition In the House of the People, recognized as such, the expression "Leader of Opposition" shall include the "Leader of the Largest Party in Opposition of the Government" in the Lok Sabha;

b) for providing for qualifications for appointment of Director of Prosecution in the CBI and for his functional independence.

The proposed amendments will also address other deficiencies in the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013"

The Act, as now proposed to be amended, seeks to remove the deficiencies and provide for the alternative of Leader of Single Largest Opposition Party in the Lok Sabha in the event there is no Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for being represented on the Selection Committee for appointments of Chairperson and Members of. Lok Pal. The amendments will, inter alia, also ensure functional independence to the Director of Prosecution under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act. The amendments seek to synchronize the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act with the existing regulating Acts, Rules and Regulations in respect of declaration of assets and liabilities by various categories of public servants and establish appropriate mechanisms to obtain and publish such information received from public servants, for the benefit of the public. The proposed amendments will, also ensure functional independence to the Director of Prosecution under the DSPE Act.