New Delhi: Will the proposed Lokpal be able to handle more than 100,000 complaints of corruption cases lodged mostly against lower level staff every year?
Members of the civil society in the Lokpal Bill drafting committee have made demands that could lead to the proposed anti-corruption watchdog dealing with a humongous amount of complaints but officials feel it can't handle such volumes.
"Every year, more than 100,000 complaints of corruption are registered across the country against government officials, mostly lower-level staff like clerks and peons. If the suggestion of 'mantri to santri' is included in the Bill, it will be practically impossible for the Lokpal to handle each and every case," a highly-placed official, who did not want to be quoted, said.
These corruption cases mostly relate to food grains distributed under PDS, making of ration cards, issuance of driving licences, birth and death certificates, clearance of pension papers etc.
Though there are various authorities to deal with such cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, civil society members have been insisting that all corruption cases should be handled by the Lokpal, dismissing the suggestion of the government that only corruption cases against joint secretary and above level officers should be given to Lokpal.
Independence of judiciary is protected by the Constitution but if the judiciary is brought under Lokpal, as demanded by the Anna Hazare team, it would affect the functioning of the higher judiciary for which Constitution has to be amended, the official feels.
"Judiciary is one of the pillars of democracy and Constitution guarantees its independence," the official said.
If the Prime Minister is brought within the ambit of Lokpal, whenever there is a complaint against him or her, he or she will have to resign to ensure impartiality of the probe or else there would be allegation that the Prime Minister may influence the witnesses or that witnesses would be afraid of giving testimony against the Prime Minister.
If such a situation arises whenever there is a complaint against the Prime Minister, he may have to resign to be impartial and there would be instability at the Centre, the official feels.
Another suggestion that CBI and CVC should be brought under Lokpal also has not found favour with the government since both the organisations have different responsibilities and both are working as key arms of the government against corruption. Bringing CBI and CVC under Lokpal will give a big blow to the government's existing mechanism, he said.
Civil society members want to make Lokpal as the 'fourth pillar' of democracy despite the fact that it would be accountable to none.
The proposal to empower Lokpal with all administrative and disciplinary powers again has not find favour within government. At present, if any official is involved in any wrong doing, action is initiated by the respective ministry or department.
But if such powers are removed, no action could be taken by the government against errant officials and a decision from Lokpal may come after months, if not year, later.
No Member of Parliament will support a bill which does not give him or her guarantee or the privilege of protection for what he or she does inside the House.
In such circumstances, it would be difficult for the government to pass a bill in Parliament with some of the features being campaigned for by the civil society representatives, the official said.