Politicos having 'dirty' money to be under Lokpal scrutiny

New Delhi, Aug 4: The highly-anticipated Lokpal Bill is all set to be presented in the Parliament on Thursday, and there are also certain clauses in the government version that has something to cheer about for the common man who has had enough of the rampant corruption in the system.

Of particular interest is the fact that if a public servant fails to declare his assets, Lokpal will consider these assets as acquired through corrupt means. This is one of the proposals in the Lokpal Bill to be presented in Lok Sabha today (Aug 4).

Giving more teeth to the jurisdiction of the Lokpal Bill, the proposal also states that the Lokpal will be able to recommend the transfer or suspension of public servants connected with allegations of corruption. The proposed anti-corruption ombudsman will take up corruption cases involving MPs, Group 'A' officers and others equivalent to this grade in any body, board, authority, corporation, trust, society or autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.

But the matter of keeping the Prime Minister out of the purview of the Lokpal Bill has received stiff opposition from the BJP and the Anna Hazare backed civil society members. The Bill has also excluded the higher judiciary and other bureaucrats from the Lokapal radar. The Lokpal will enquire into charges against the Prime Minister only after he demits office, according to the government's version of the Bill.

OneIndia News