New Delhi , Dec 13 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Tuesday cleared three important draft legislations, which include the Judicial Accountability Bill, Whistleblowers’ Bill and the Citizens’ Charter Bill, to battle corruption and ensure transparency.
The decision in this regard was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here this evening.
The Cabinet decision on Food Security Bill was, however, postponed today as the allies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre wanted more discussions on it.
The discussion on Food Security Bill will now be taken in the next cabinet meeting.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) lawmaker Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said the Prime Minister should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.
Yechury said that his party would raise this issue at an all-party meet to be held on Wednesday.
“The one issue on which it (Ombudsman Bill) was not becoming a law in the last 20 years was on the question of inclusion of the Prime Minister. Now, we have all along maintained that Prime Minister should be included,” said Yechury.
“There was a big argument on the adequate safeguards for certain areas. So, I said that we can discuss but in the name of safeguards you cannot absolve the Prime Minister for this responsibility of being open for questioning on the issues of corruption,” he added.
Yechury further said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should also be included under the anti-graft legislation.
“With regard to the CBI on issues of corruption; yes on issues of corruption, the CBI should be under the supervision of the Lokpal,” he said.
The government is expected to hold discussions with its alliance partners on the Lokpal Bill today. An all-party meeting will be held on Wednesday to evolve consensus on the issue.
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare had observed a token daylong protest fast at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday to pressurise the government for passing a strong Lokpal Bill in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
Yechury also spoke on the contentious issue of the Mullaperiyar Dam, saying he would appeal to the Prime Minister to hold a meeting with leaders from the neighbouring southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to resolve the ongoing dispute.
“We recognise the need of water for Tamil Nadu is absolutely genuine and required, and we understand also after the recent tremors in the Idukki district, the fear that is there in the people of Kerala, whether the safety of the dam,” said Yechury.
“Now, these two are important issues, the case is before the Supreme Court and we want the Prime Minister to take the initiative, to call all the concerned groups and to ensure there is no outbreak of tensions that can lead to unnecessary complications,” he added.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu are locked in a dispute over the dam located in Idduki District. The dam and the river are located in Kerala, but the dam is controlled and operated by Tamil Nadu. The safety of the dam has been a matter of concern and a point of dispute between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
While Tamil Nadu, the custodian of the structure, wants to increase the water level in the reservoir, Kerala has been insisting that it be reduced from the current 136 feet to 120 feet.
Kerala apprehends that this past-expiry date dam could crash and cause untold destruction in the state.
Kerala is arguing for the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar in place of the existing one, which is being opposed by Tamil Nadu.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cabinet-clears-three-important-bills-to-combat-corruption/
