Anti-corruption bill delayed as parliamentary committee gets further extension in RS

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha Select Committee on Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill was on Friday granted extension to present its report by the last day of the first week of next session. BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha for extension which was accepted by the House. The Committee is scrutinising the bill that seeks inclusion of a provision for prior sanction to be obtained by the CBI or police before initiating action against corrupt officials, serving and retired. The extension to the committee, headed by BJP’s Anil Madhav Dave, implies that the bill will not be considered in this session. [caption id=“attachment_2756984” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Screenshot of Rajya Sabha. Image courtesy RSTV[/caption] The Committee was supposed to present its report to the Rajya Sabha by the last day of the first week of the Budget Session. However, it was later given extention till 29 April. Accepting the Opposition’s demand, the government had earlier referred the bill to the Select Committee. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 19 Aug 2013. Rajya Sabha referred the Bill to its Select Committee on 11 December, last year. This is the second extension for the committee. The proposed legislation has a provision that “no police officer shall conduct investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant” under the PC Act, where the alleged offence is relatable to any recommendation made or decision taken by such public servant in the discharge of his official function or duties without the previous approval of Lokpal (for central government staff) and Lokayuktas (for those working under state governments). The Centre is yet to set up the institution of Lokpal and Lokayuktas — as mandated under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.