The Salient features of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

1) The Lokpal is an independent body not an advisory body as proposed in the

government bill with powers to initiate investigations suo moto. It is being
empowered to entertain complaints directly from the citizens of the country and
start investigations accordingly.

2) The CBI, CVC departments which deal with corruption will be merged with the
Lokpal and they will be reporting independently to the Lokpal. This eliminates
the possibility of government intervention which happens often in the current
scenario. Also the current Lokpal will have jurisdiction over the politicians,
bureaucrats and the judges.

3) The Jan Lokpal bill proposes a committee of 10 members unlike the government
proposal of 3 members. A very detailed and transparent selection process of these
10 members has been proposed unlike the government proposal where the 3
members will be retired Supreme Court judges selected by the government itself
which creates a direct conflict of interest.

4) The Jan Lokpal Bill has fixed time frame for the investigation as well as the trials
unlike the government proposal where no time limit has been prescribed for the
trial.

5) The Jan Lokpal bill has provisions for the recovery of money lost due to
corruption which is not mentioned in the government bill.

6) The punishment to the guilty has been enhanced which will also act as a serious
deterrent for the corrupt individuals.

7) The Jan Lokpal bill has provisions to provide protection for the whistle blowers
unlike the government bill which does not mention anything in regards to the
protection to be provided to the whistle blowers.

8) The Jan Lokpal bill has powers to investigate even the cases registered against the
Prime Minister unlike the government bill which shields the PM. By shielding the
PM it becomes impossible to investigate matters which deal with foreign affairs,
security and defense.