Church: Bring strong Lokpal that includes PM with riders

By: Dibin Samuel
16/11/2011
India

While demanding that the government pass a strong Lokpal Bill in the coming winter session of Parliament, churches and ecumenical bodies are insisting that the jurisdiction over the Prime Minister come with certain riders as his office carries a “moral and ethical responsibility towards the citizens”.

After a series of consultations held between September and October, the Church has expressed credence to the contemplation that as the topmost person who leads the country, the Prime Minister should be safeguarded against malicious or baseless targeting by groups.

As for the members of the Parliament, they should be brought under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal. However, they should continue to enjoy the privileges of the Parliament.

Reiterating its confidence in the ‘Parliamentary Democratic’ system, the representatives of the Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic churches called for a concerted effort to fight corruption which it said was “unjust, illegal, immoral, unethical and highly exploitative of the poor and the under-privileged”.

While the Churches recognized that laws alone do not wipe out corruption, it is still of the opinion that a strong legislation is required to fight against this social evil.

“Inspired by the values of the Bible and those of Jesus Christ, the Churches have a duty to guide their members on issues of justice, and a role to play in the creation of a just society,” they affirmed after consultations on Sept. 25, Oct. 3 and Oct. 14.
The National Council of Churches in India, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and Young Women’s Christian Association jointly held the deliberations that underlined the need for strengthening the Vigilance Commission, the Judicial System, and for setting up of Lokayuktas at state level.

They further stressed for appropriate grievance redressal procedures; provision for recovery of the assets or confiscation of properties from the offenders; effective mechanism to protect whistleblowers; and separate investigation and prosecution wings of Lokpal.

The demand for an effective Lokpal Bill, they said has gained momentum over the past couple of months, with the common people coming out on the streets to fight against corruption.

“Though Anna Hazare and his team were able to capture the imagination of common people and the media, their draft bill disturbs the balance of power of the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislative arms of the country,” they said, adding the many alternative drafts that have come up would only help in a stronger Lokpal.

The parliamentary standing committee on law and justice, which is currently examining the Lokpal Bill, is meanwhile yet to come to a consensus on the inclusion of the office of the Prime Minister.

While majority of the members in the committee felt the PM should be included in the Lokpal, few have opposed it saying it could lead to complications.

The committee, headed by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, is learnt to have finalised the selection and search committee for the Lokpal.

“The selection committee should comprise the PM, the Speaker, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha,” media quoted a member saying on Tuesday.

More details would be made public, after the final report is submitted in the first week of December.

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