Monday, December 16, 2013

Parliament Must Pass Lokpal And Lokayuktas Act, 2011 Tomorrow To Retain Its Respect And Legitimacy

This is the Guest Column by Praveen Dalal, Managing Partner of Law Firm Perry4Law and the founder of exclusive Centre for the Protection of Civil Liberties in Cyberspace. In this article he is sharing his views about the proposed Lokpal Bill. The views and opinion given by him are his personal opinion and not that of this platform or Perry4Law.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2011 as Passed by Lok Sabha was the first step in the direction of bringing Transparency, Fairness and Lack of Corruption in Government dealings. However, the proposed Law could not see the light of the day till December 2013. Now veteran Leader Anna Hazare has once again raised the issue and he is on fast at the time of writing this article.

Meanwhile many Activists and Social Workers have come to the support of Anna and there is tremendous pressure upon Indian Government and Parliament of India to pass the proposed Law as soon as possible.

I believe that Parliament Must Pass Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2011 tomorrow to Retain Its Respect and Legitimacy. I also believe that the proposed Lokpal Law must also be supported by a Whistleblowers Protection Law of India.

Political Parties have already seen the Power of Vote whose benefit was derived by a new party named Aam Aadmi Party. Now every issue is a “Politically Sensitive Issue” and no Political Party can “Afford to Offend Public Sentiments” regarding Lokpal Law.

Not only this, the very purpose of Parliament of India is in question. What is the Purpose and Use of a Parliament if it cannot pass appropriate and required Laws? Why a tragedy is always needed to wake up Indian Parliament? Do we have Separation of Powers in India any more? Is Indian Government really interested in making CBI Autonomous and Independent?

These are pertinent and controversial questions that need to be answered immediately. The Anti National Steps by Congress Government and their support by Political Party BJP have forced People of India to vote in favour of “Alternative Parties” like Aam Aadmi Party.                                                             

If Congress and BJP are smart enough they must understand the mood of People of India and mend their ways and Policies accordingly. I sincerely wish that the proposed Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2011 would be passed by Rajya Sabha tomorrow. I also sincerely wish that Shri. Anna Hazare would break his fast tomorrow for the common good and larger benefits of all. Time has also come to form a National Political Party under his Leadership as we need Good People “Inside the Political System” that needs a Complete Overhaul from inside.