NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to amend the anti-graft legislation by means of searching for to punish bribe-givers for the primary time at the side of the bribe takers. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018, was already passed by means of Rajya Sabha last week.
The passage of the 'Prevention Of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018' delivers every other telling blow against corruption, marking the most important stage within the series of incessant, decisive steps taken by means of the NDA govt to wash up the machine emphasising on transparency and duty.
Here are the highlights of the bill:
1. Punishment enhanced: Punishment for the ones discovered accountable (bribe takers and bribe givers) has been made harsher – enhanced to a minimal punishment of three years, extendable as much as 7 years with high quality; from the sooner 6 months, with an extension as much as 3 years. Habitual offenders subjected to a fair harsher minimal punishment of 5 years, extendable as much as 10 years with high quality.
2. 'Undue advantage' expanded: The up to now limited definition of 'undue advantage' expanded to now come with 'anything else as opposed to prison remuneration', thereby basically widening the scope and ambit of the offence of corruption.
3. Gifts criminalised: Gifts gained for established undue advantage/malafide reason are actually considered an act of corruption. Previously all presents were exempt from scrutiny, taking into consideration abuse.
4. Collusive bribe givers criminalised: For the primary time, the 'giving of bribe' has now been made an immediate offence on par with 'taking of bribe' (earlier was viewed best as abetment). At the same time, protection has been integrated against coercive bribery, as long as the victim comes forward within 7 days.
5. Corporate bribery criminalised: For the primary time, awesome functionaries of a industrial organisation will be held accountable, if their employee/agent is confirmed to have bribed with their approval, for development of the organisation's interests.
6. Immediate forfeiture: For the primary time, legislation enforcement is empowered with powers for instant attachment and forfeiture of unlawful assets of a public servant, invoking provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The 'possession' of 'illicit assets' itself, is enough reason for prosecution.
7. Timely trial mandated: For the primary time, it's mandated to conclude the investigation and trial within 2 years, extendable as much as a most of four years; ensuring well timed justice.
8. Protecting the fair: The threat and worry of unjust, malafide prosecution abusing existing loopholes and prison anomalies, had scared bonafide officers into a coverage paralysis, scared of decision-making. Therefore, to empower fair public servants to accomplish their accountability with out worry or favour, as consistent with laid down laws, policies and procedures; corrections had been made for shielding their bonafide selections from malicious threats and harassment.
The passage of the 'Prevention Of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018' delivers every other telling blow against corruption, marking the most important stage within the series of incessant, decisive steps taken by means of the NDA govt to wash up the machine emphasising on transparency and duty.
Here are the highlights of the bill:
1. Punishment enhanced: Punishment for the ones discovered accountable (bribe takers and bribe givers) has been made harsher – enhanced to a minimal punishment of three years, extendable as much as 7 years with high quality; from the sooner 6 months, with an extension as much as 3 years. Habitual offenders subjected to a fair harsher minimal punishment of 5 years, extendable as much as 10 years with high quality.
2. 'Undue advantage' expanded: The up to now limited definition of 'undue advantage' expanded to now come with 'anything else as opposed to prison remuneration', thereby basically widening the scope and ambit of the offence of corruption.
3. Gifts criminalised: Gifts gained for established undue advantage/malafide reason are actually considered an act of corruption. Previously all presents were exempt from scrutiny, taking into consideration abuse.
4. Collusive bribe givers criminalised: For the primary time, the 'giving of bribe' has now been made an immediate offence on par with 'taking of bribe' (earlier was viewed best as abetment). At the same time, protection has been integrated against coercive bribery, as long as the victim comes forward within 7 days.
5. Corporate bribery criminalised: For the primary time, awesome functionaries of a industrial organisation will be held accountable, if their employee/agent is confirmed to have bribed with their approval, for development of the organisation's interests.
6. Immediate forfeiture: For the primary time, legislation enforcement is empowered with powers for instant attachment and forfeiture of unlawful assets of a public servant, invoking provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The 'possession' of 'illicit assets' itself, is enough reason for prosecution.
7. Timely trial mandated: For the primary time, it's mandated to conclude the investigation and trial within 2 years, extendable as much as a most of four years; ensuring well timed justice.
8. Protecting the fair: The threat and worry of unjust, malafide prosecution abusing existing loopholes and prison anomalies, had scared bonafide officers into a coverage paralysis, scared of decision-making. Therefore, to empower fair public servants to accomplish their accountability with out worry or favour, as consistent with laid down laws, policies and procedures; corrections had been made for shielding their bonafide selections from malicious threats and harassment.
Parliament passes bill to punish bribe givers, along with takers: Highlights
Reviewed by Kailash
on
July 25, 2018
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