Dr Jitendra moves anti-graft bill in Rajya Sabha

By
Daily Excelsior
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Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 1: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today moved the important “Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013” in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and discussion.
The bill was moved soon after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi finished his speech in the house in reply to the discussion on constitution marking the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B.R.Ambedkar.
It may be recalled that the same Bill had been repeatedly listed for discussion in the Rajya Sabha for several days at a stretch during the last session of Parliament but could not be taken up because of disruption in the House.
While moving the Bill, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the amendments in the Bill have become necessary and were aimed at laying down more stringent measures to tackle corruption and at the same time, ensure compliance with, inter alia, the provisions of Articles 15 and 20 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Pertinent to mention that the Bill was first introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the UPA rule on 8th August 2013. It was, however, referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee. Based on the Report of the Standing Committee, the present government has now proposed some official amendments to the Bill. Since the Bill implies an important paradigm shift in defining offences relating to bribery, the views of the Law Commission of India were also sought on the proposed amendments.
The Bill mainly deals with bringing in more clarity in the provisions of the “Prevention of Corruption Act”. The amendments, among other things, also seek to fix a time limit for completion of corruption trial and also make the act of giving or offering bribe to a public servant an offence with bribe-giver as an offender.
The discussion on the Bill in the Upper House will be taken up possibly tomorrow or as per the business list of the House.

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