INDIA’S cabinet was expected to approve today a landmark anti-corruption bill which was the focus of nationwide demonstrations in August that rocked the government.
An official in the prime minister’s office said the cabinet meeting had been scheduled for 2:00pm (0830 GMT).
The new legislation would create a powerful new “Lokpal” or ombudsman tasked with probing and prosecuting senior politicians and civil servants suspected of graft.
In August, veteran Indian activist Anna Hazare held a 12-day hunger strike to protest against an initial draft of the bill, saying it was a toothless measure incapable of curbing the rampant corruption it was meant to target.
His campaign brought millions of ordinary Indians onto the streets in cities across the country, in a national outpouring of anger and frustration at the culture of bribery and kick-backs that permeates every level of Indian society.
The public response was a shock for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s coalition government, which has been tainted by a series of high-profile corruption scandals.
The precise details of the bill to be discussed by the cabinet today are not known.
The main dispute has been over who would fall under the ombudsman’s ambit, with the Hazare campaign insisting that it should include the prime minister, the judiciary and lower-level civil servants.
Hazare has threatened a second hunger strike beginning December 27 if the final version of the bill presented to parliament falls short of his demands.
Time is running out, with the current parliamentary session scheduled to close on Wednesday (December 21), although there have been reports that the government would consider a one-week extension.
