Sunday Times 2
Indian parliament approves landmark anti-graft bill as elections near
View(s):NEW DELHI (Reuters) – - India’s parliament voted on Tuesday for the appointment of a powerful anti-graft ombudsman to investigate wrongdoing in government, ending years of dithering, as public anger has mounted over a string of corruption scandals. The ruling Congress party, which suffered big losses in state elections over the past month in part over allegations of a pervasive culture of corruption, rushed through the Lokpal or ombudsman bill in the upper house of parliament.
“We must listen to the voices outside the House. I hope that the bill creates history,” said Law Minister Kapil Sibal after the bill was cleared by a voice vote.
It will now go to the lower house of parliament for final passage on Wednesday. India is due to hold a national election by next May, and corruption and clean governance are expected to be top campaign issues.