New Delhi : Under fire for tabling a “diluted” Bill, the Delhi government is likely to amend the draft Janlokpal legislation and will introduce two changes in the appointment and removal clauses as per veteran social activist Anna Hazare’s suggestions.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that he will “surely” effect the changes proposed by Hazare during a meeting with party leaders Kumar Vishwas and Sanjay Singh. “There will be a provision for one more High Court judge and one eminent person in the selection panel while the impeachment process for removal will begin only after a higher court monitored probe of any allegation against the Lokpal,” a government official said. These were among the points over which ex-AAP leader Prashant Bhushan has targeted Kejriwal saying he had “diluted” key provisions of the original draft, a product of the 2011 anti-graft movement.
But the government had dismissed the criticism saying that Supreme Court had argued against inclusion of eminent persons in such positions during deliberations over NJAC and had argued that impeachment was the best possible removal clause.
As per the draft Bill, the Chairperson or any member of the Janlokpal can be removed on the ground of proven misconduct or incapacity only by the Lt Governor on the recommendation of the Assembly by a minimum two-third majority of the total membership.
It has provided for a four-member Selection Committee comprising the CM, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition and one Delhi High Court judge. “Annaji, thank you for your support and blessings. We will surely implement your suggestions,” the CM tweeted.
