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India adopts historic anti-corruption bill
December 18, 2013, 8:00 am

India fares better only against Russia in the BRICS bloc, according to the graft index [Getty Images]

India fares better only against Russia in the BRICS bloc, according to the graft index [Getty Images]

The Indian Parliament on Wednesday adopted a new anti-corruption legislature, the Lokpal Bill, aimed to strengthen the country’s fight against graft.

The Upper House had already cleared the passage of the Bill on Tuesday.

The Lokpal Bill creates a new independent agency empowered to investigate charges of graft among government and public servants.

A panel including the Indian Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the lower house of the Indian Parliament and the Head of the Supreme Court of India will appoint the powerful anti-graft ombudsman called the Lokpal.

The Prime Minister’s Office will also be under the purview of the Lokpal.

Transparency International has placed India ranking 94th among 177 nations in a corruption index. India fares better only against Russia in the BRICS bloc, according to the graft index.

Ahead of general elections that are slated for May 2014, the Indian Parliament has seen disruption of legislative proceedings although there was huge support in favor of the anti-corruption bill to be passed this winter session.

India’s anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare who has used fasts as a measure to raise awareness about the need for this legislation first proposed in 1968 has thanked Indian Parliamentarians for ensuring passage of the bill.

 

TBP