2.1.14

President's signature turns Lokpal Bill into law

The setting up of an anti-graft ombudsman to check corruption in high places was given the Presidential assent on Wednesday, putting into effect the legislation passed by Parliament on December 18 amid disruptions.
The assent to the Lokpal Bill was one of President Mukherjee’s first actions in the New Year, setting in motion the process of forming a multi-member anti-corruption ombudsman with the power to supervise CBI investigations into specific cases.
The Lokpal will also be able to initiate probes on the basis of specific complaints and its ambit covers the PM, ministers and senior public servants. The Lokpal can enquire into offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 committed by MPs, group A and B government officials, employees of a company, society or a trust set up by an Act of Parliament, or financed or controlled by the central government.
The secretary (legislative department) in the law ministry will now sign the document and send it for publication in the official gazette.

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