MadhyaNews.blogspot.com: Centre must okay Special Courts Bill of MP

 Centre must okay Special Courts Bill of MP

 Muslim Saleem

Bhopal, August 25, 2011

At a time when the entire national is gripped by rampant corruption and a vociferous demand is being raised by Anna Hazare to bring out a strong Lokpal Bill to root out corruption from the country, the Madhya Pradesh government has also adopted a Bill that will help in the same cause. If implemented, this Act will put an effective check on corruption in Madhya Pradesh. But unfortunately, the Union Government is not approving this bill, reports SMS News and Features.

One again, the Chief Minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to direct the Home Department for seeking clearance of Special Court Bill by the President of India drafted by Madhya Pradesh Government with an objective of curbing corruption,

The Chief Minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan wrote a letter to the Prime Minister in this regard. In the letter, the Chief Minister cited that Madhya Pradesh Government had tabled Madhya Pradesh Vishesh Nyayalaya Vidheyak (Bill) -2011 in State Legislative Assembly in order to quell effectively the practice of corruption. The Bill has been passed in State Assembly and reserved by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh for approval of President of India. This Bill was forwarded to Union Home Ministry by Government of Madhya Pradesh on April 13, 2011. The Bill is awaiting the Presidential assent.

The Chief Minister in the letter said that the Bill provides for an expeditious disposal of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This Bill also provides for confiscation of property amassed through corrupt means and utilization of such property for public good.

Mr Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh Government wishes to create transparent and effective systems of governance where there will be no room for corruption. Besides, the State Government wants to create an effective legal system where public servants indulging in corruption are brought to book in a time bound manner. Madhya Pradesh Vishesh Nyayalaya Vidheyak (Bill) -2011 shall prove to be an effective step towards curbing corruption in public life. This inordinate delay in granting assent by Government of India is unnecessarily depriving the State of an effective tool to combat corruption.

The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister for directing Union Ministry of Home Affairs to obtain assent of the President of India on the pending Bill at the earliest.

It is to be seen whether the Central Government comes out of its slumber and approves the Bill at the earliest so that an effective check can be put on corrupt practices in Madhya Pradesh.