Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption

What is proposed
The Lokpal Bill 2010 will constitute a Lokpal, or an ombudsman's office, which will probe allegations of corruption against Members of Parliament, or MPs, including ministers and, to a limited extent, even the Prime Minister. The Lokpal will have a retired Supreme Court judge as Chairperson, and two other members, who will be former high court judges.

What will change
Though the idea of a Lokpal has been mooted since the 1960s, it has never been instituted. Ombudsmen called Lokayuktas have been appointed in 17 states, but as yet there is no independent body to probe corruption charges against politicians at the Centre. Under the proposed Bill, the Lokpal will have the powers of a civil court and the right to summon any individual, including the Prime Minister.

Inherent limitations
First, the Lokpal will not receive complaints directly. All complaints will have to be routed through Speaker of the Lok Sabha or Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. Second, the Lokpal will neither have its own investigating force, nor the power to prosecute. Third, the President, Vice President and Speaker will fall outside its ambit. Nor can it question the Prime Minister's actions in relation to defence, security and foreign affairs.

Activists protest
At the time of going to press, noted social activist Anna Hazare, 72, was on an indefinite fast to protest the Bill, insisting it lacked teeth. Other leading activists, like Arvind Kejriwal, have also slammed the Bill.