2nd Jan 2014 06:42
New Delhi (Alliance News) - Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday signed into law an anti-graft bill that will create a powerful independent ombudsman to check corruption among government officials.
The anti-graft law, called the Lokpal and Lokayukta's Bill, was cleared by both houses of the Parliament last month against the backdrop of widespread popular outrage over political corruption.
The bill sets up an ombudsman at the federal level with powers to prosecute politicians and civil servants. Similar institutions will be created in Indian states.
Several drafts of the bill had failed to gain approval from the Parliament for the past 45 years. The latest version was introduced after anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare went on a 12-day fast in 2011 to put pressure the government.
There was renewed urgency to push through the legislation after the ruling Congress party suffered electoral defeats in recent state assembly elections.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government has been mired in financial scandals, including a 40-billion-dollar telecommunications licensing scam and financial irregularities during the organization of the Commonwealth Games in October 2010.
Indians face corruption at several levels in their daily lives with government officials and police often demanding bribes.
Copyright dpa