Govt approves amendments to Lokpal Bill passed by Lok Sabha

Amendments to the Lokpal Bill when it was passed in the Lok Sabha in December last year on Thursday received post-facto approval of the government even as ministers discussed the passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha where it is likely to come up later this month.

While being passed in the lower house, government had agreed to several amendments, including the one under which an inquiry against the Prime Minister has to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the full bench of the Lokpal.

When introduced in Lok Sabha, the bill had provided that an inquiry against the PM has to be approved by a three-fourths majority of the full bench of the Lokpal.

Another amendment was that once passed, the Bill will be applicable to states if they give consent to its application.

Changes also include keeping personnel of the armed forces out of the purview of the anti-corruption watchdog and increasing the exemption time of former MPs from five to seven years.

Sources said that after the amendments agreed to in Lok Sabha were approved, ministers informally discussed the passage of the bill in Rajya Sabha where it is currently stuck.

The bill in its amended form is likely to be taken up by the Rajya Sabha when Parliament session resumes in the second half of the budget session from April 24.