Ministers may come under ambit of bill on corruption charges

NEW DELHI: Ministers and higher judiciary will come under the ambit of a bill which seeks to establish a mechanism to receive complaints regarding allegations of corruption or wilful misuse of power by them if the recommendations of a Parliamentary panel are accepted.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Personnel, in its report tabled in Lok Sabha today, also recommended bringing the armed forces and security and intelligence agencies under the ambit of the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, 2010 and is popularly called the whistle blowers' protection bill.

The Standing Committee's report has already been handed over to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in June.

"The Committee takes note of the grave concerns raised regarding the exception created in relation to the defence/ intelligence forces.

In the committee's views, the (Personnel) Ministry has not furnished cogent reasons for excluding such agencies/ forces from the ambit of the bill.

Since this bill is ultimately aimed at tackling corruption, "the committee does not find any logical reason behind such an exemption," the report said.

In its report, the panel has suggested that the Ministry of Personnel should consider bringing the members of the Council of Ministers, the judiciary, including the higher judiciary and regulatory authorities within the ambit of the bill by making necessary amendments.

The Committee has also recommended that a foolproof mechanism be envisaged to ensure that the identity of the complainant is not compromised with.