Lokpal Bill: CVC to pitch for greater powers

The Central Vigilance Commission will suggest to the Parliamentary Standing Committee certain changes in the proposed Lokpal bill and pitch for greater powers to prosecute higher bureaucracy in corruption-related cases.

Senior officials in the country's top anti-corruption body said that a detailed presentation explaining the commission's role in checking graft in government departments has been prepared for the perusal of the panel.

"There may be a conflict of interest in case the Lokpal comes into force in the form being envisaged by civil society. The  commission is given wide powers to probe any complaints of corruption involving central government officials including those working in banks and public sector units, which will also be vested with the Lokpal," a CVC official said, requesting anonymity.

The commission, comprising Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and two of his deputies R Srikumar and J M Garg, will present their views in this regard on September 7 before the House committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice.

"We will explain that there has to be proper division of work between the CVC and proposed Lokpal. The powers of two bodies should not be made contradictory to hamper probe in corruption cases. We need certain changes in it.

"The panel should consider incorporating either the Central Vigilance Commissioner or one of the two Vigilance Commissioners into the Lokpal for smooth functioning," the official said refusing to divulge further details on the CVC's presentation.

The House panel will listen to the commission's views in its first meeting on September 7 after it was formed last month to devise ways to form a strict Lokpal bill and solve the confrontation between civic society members including Anna Hazare and the government over the Bill.

While government has drafted Lokpal Bill to check the menace of corruption, civic society has come up with Jan Lokpal Bill with certain powers and jurisdiction which did not find favour with the government.

Hazare was on a 12-day fast from August 16 demanding the Jan Lokpal bill. The fast ended after Parliament passed the 'sense of the House' agreeing on his three demands.

The Central Vigilance Commission, which exercises superintendence over the CBI in matters related to offences made under the Prevention of Corruption Act, can undertake an inquiry or investigation against a public servant working in any organisation under the Government of India and suspected of indulging in corrupt practises.

The CVC acts as apex vigilance institution, free of control from any executive authority, monitoring all vigilance activity under the central government and advising various authorities in central government organisations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance works.