Lokpal Bill: Parliament Session Extended for 3 Days

The UPA government has decided to extend the winter session of Parliament has for three days till December 29 to pass four crucial anti-graft bills - the Lokpal Bill, the Citizens' Charter Bill, the Judicial Accountability Bill and the Whistleblowers' Bill. The Citizens' Charter Bill was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, even as Team Anna wanted the Citizens' Charter to be a part of the Lokpal Bill. The bill will spell out a citizens' charter containing a category of goods and services to be delivered in a time-bound manner and setting up a public grievance redressal panel. Another important bill that the UPA government hopes, will be passed, is the Judicial Accountability Bill. Under this bill, judges will have to declare their assets and liabilities, and also that of their spouse and children. The government also hopes to get the the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill (Whistleblower's Bill) passed in the extended winter session. Under this bill, anybody who reveals the identity of whistleblowers would be punished with three years jail or fine up to Rs 50,000 for revealing whistleblowers.

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