Page 429 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

standing committee for further work:

A citizen’s charter on the bill

An appropriate mechanism to subject lower bureaucracy to the Lokpal

The establishment of Lokayuktas (ombudsmen at state level) in states

On being informed of this, Anna Hazare, civil rights activists, along with

protestors at the site of the fast, welcomed this development, terming it as a
battle “half won” while ending the protest.

Passing of Lokpal Bill 2013

The Lok Sabha, on 18 December 2013, finally passed the historic Lokpal and

Lokayuktas Bill, 2013, paving the way for the establishment of an
ombudsman to fight corruption in public offices and ensure accountability on
the part of public officials, including the Prime Minister, but with some

safeguards. The measure was adopted by the Rajya Sabha on 17 December
2013.

The bill was passed unanimously following a brief discussion as members

from Seemandhra disrupted the proceedings, protesting against the division
of Andhra Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party and Shiv Sena members walked out, opposing the new

law. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi
described the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha as a “historic and
landmark” step to fight corruption. Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath

Singh said it was a remarkable achievement.

WOMEN’S RESERVATION BILL

th
Women’s Reservation Bill or the Constitution (108 Amendment) Bill, is a
pending bill in India which proposes that 33% of all seats in the Lower House
of the Parliament of India, the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies

shall be reserved for women. The Upper House Rajya Sabha passed it on 9
March 2010 but the same is yet to be voted in the Lower House.