Janlokpal Bill: AAP govt amends draft, include Hazare points

New Delhi: Delhi government on Thursday approved two amendments in the appointment and removal clauses in the draft Janlokpal legislation as suggested by veteran social activist Anna Hazare during his recent meeting with AAP leaders.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today, said senior officials in Delhi government.

As per the changes, there will be a provision for one more High Court judge and one eminent person in the selection panel while the impeachment process for removal will begin only after a higher court monitored probe of any allegation against the Lokpal, a senior government official said.

These were among the points over which former AAP leader Prashant Bhushan has targeted Kejriwal saying he had "diluted" key provisions of the original draft, a product of the 2011 anti-graft movement.

But the government had dismissed the criticism earlier saying that Supreme Court had argued against inclusion of eminent persons in such positions during deliberations over NJAC and had argued that impeachment was the best possible removal clause.

As per the draft Bill, the Chairperson or any member of the Janlokpal can be removed on the ground of proven misconduct or incapacity only by the Lt Governor on the recommendation of the Assembly by a minimum two-third majority of the total membership.

It has provided for a four-member Selection Committee comprising the Chief Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition and one Delhi High Court judge.

The Bill that has already been tabled is scheduled to be debated upon in the assembly tomorrow.