All NSUI Leaders and Delegates are requested to take part in the HUNGER STRIKE................FAST AGAINST CORRUPTION organised by State NSUI on 30/01/2014 from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm @Gandhi Bhavan and make this programme a grand success ! STUDENTS STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION Demands passing of 6 Anti-Corruption Bills pending in the Parliament ! The Lokpal Bill was introduced for the first time by former Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi in 1968. Forty-five years hence the bill is finally on the cusp of becoming a reality, with the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill being passed in both Houses of Parliament. The passage of Lokpal bill was of utmost importance post the passage of the Right to Information Act brought in by the first UPA government as the two complement each other. The power to gain information would otherwise be futile if acts of corruption do not lead to prosecution. If the Right to Information Act enabled the common man to ask questions from public officials, the Lokpal will now help bring corrupt officials to book. Governance in India will be far more transparent and more accountable than ever before bringing relief to the common man. The parliamentary nod to the bill witnessed a rare moment where civil society and the entire political spectrum united in rejoicing the possibility of a corruption-free India. Congress Vice-President Shri Rahul Gandhi emphasized The establishment of Lokpal is necessary to strengthen the fight against corruption and ensure the accountability of public officials to the people. According to him, the purpose behind the Lokpal Bill is to provide a serious weapon to fight corruption in this country similar to the RTI. Appreciating Shri Rahul Gandhi, veteran Gandhian activist Anna Hazare in his letter to the former wrote I welcome your commitment towards the passage of Lokpal and Lokayukta bill in the parliament. The Nation eagerly awaits an efficient and strong Lokpal Bill. Key Features of the Lokpal Bill :- > The Lokpal will be a nine-member constitutional body. > A former Chief Justice of India, a retired Supreme Court judge or an eminent personality will be the Chairperson of the Lokpal. > A panel including the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice of India and an eminent jurist will choose the Lokpal and its members. The eminent jurist will be selected by the other four members. > There is up to 50 per cent reservation in the Lokpal for SC/ STs, OBCs, minorities and women. > The Prime Minister will come under the Lokpals ambit, but with various safeguards on matters of national security. > Group C and D employees (Class III and IV) will be covered by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The Lokpal will have appellate powers. > NGOs getting government and international funds will be within the Lokpals ambit. Is the Lokpal Bill enough to combat the rampant indulgence in corruption ? Congress Vice-President Shri Rahul Gandhi said The Lokpal Bill alone is not adequate to fight corruption. We need a comprehensive anti-corruption code in this country. The UPA government has developed a powerful anti-corruption framework consisting of eight new central laws. Even after the passage of the Lokpal Bill, four of these Bills remain pending in the Lok Sabha and two in the Rajya Sabha. The pending Bills are listed below: 1) The Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011 The Bill seeks to protect those who expose corruption and criminal offence. The Bill states that the identity of the whistleblower must not be disclosed. Status: Passed by the Lok Sabha on December 27, 2011 and is pending in Rajya Sabha. 2) The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 The Bill tries to lay down enforceable standards of conduct for judges. Under the Bill, judges are required to declare details of their and their family members assets and liabilities. Status: Passed in Lok Sabha on March 29, 2012 with few amendments. 3) The Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011 Under the Bill, every public authority is required to publish a Citizens Charter specifying the category of goods supplied and services rendered by it as well as the time frame within which such goods shall be supplied or services be rendered. The Bill provides for establishing information and facilitation centre for efficient and effective delivery of services and redressal of grievances. Status: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 20, 2011. 4) Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2013 The main intention of the Amendment is to prosecute the bribe givers in the offence of consensual bribery. At present, no domestic law has provision to punish a bribe giver. Status: Introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 19, 2013. 5) The Public Procurement Bill, 2012 This Bill aims at bringing transparency in public procurement and contracts. It lays down public procurement standards and policy. Status: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on May 14, 2012. 6) The Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organizations Bill, 2011 The bill makes accepting or giving bribe by foreign public officials a criminal offence. Those found guilty of corruption under this Bill, can be imprisoned for up to seven years among others penal provisions. As per the proposed Bill, the government can attach, seize and confiscate property of offenders. Status: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2011. If these Bills are passed, a corruption-free India would soon be a reality and not just an empty slogan. Therefore, NSUI appeals to all the students to join the fight against corruption and to demand the passage of other pending bills against corruption.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:38:56 +0000
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