The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) will suggest the Parliamentary Standing Committee of certain changes in the proposed Lokpal Bill and proposals for greater powers to prosecute higher bureaucracy in corruption-related cases, reported the Hindu.
According to CVC senior officials, a detailed presentation explaining the Commission's role in checking attachment in government departments has been prepared for the examination of the panel.
"There may be a conflict of interest in case the Lokpal comes into force in the form being envisaged by civil society. The Commission is given wide powers to probe any complaints of corruption involving central government officials including those working in banks and public sector units, which will also be vested with the Lokpal," said a CVC official on condition of anonymity.
The commission comprises Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and two of his deputies R Srikumar and JM Garg.
According to Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003, the Commission shall consist of: a Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners as members.
The CVC commission will present their views in this regard on Sept. 7 before the House Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice.
"We will explain that there has to be proper division of work between the CVC and proposed Lokpal. The powers of two bodies should not be made contradictory to hamper probe in corruption cases. We need certain changes in it.
"The panel should consider incorporating either the Central Vigilance Commissioner or one of the two Vigilance Commissioners into the Lokpal for smooth functioning," the official said refusing to divulge further details on the CVC's presentation.
The House panel will listen to the Commission's views in its first meeting on September 7 after it was formed last month to devise ways to form a strict Lokpal Bill and solve the confrontation between civic society members, including Anna Hazare and the government over the Bill.
While government has drafted Lokpal Bill to check the menace of corruption, civic society has come up with Jan Lokpal Bill with certain powers and jurisdiction which did not find favor with the government.
Hazare was on a 12-day fast from August 16 demanding the Jan Lokpal bill. The fast ended after Parliament passed the 'sense of the House' agreeing on his three demands, 1) Appointment of Lokayuktas in the states, 2) Preparing a citizens' charter 3) and including the lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal Bill.
In matters relating to offenses made under the Prevention of Corruption Act, CVC exercises superintendence over the CBI.
The Commission can undertake an inquiry or investigation against a public servant working in any organization under the Government of India and suspected of indulging in corrupt practices.
CVC is free from any executive control, acts as apex courts, monitoring all vigilance activity under the central government and advising various authorities in central government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance works.
