Arvind Kejriwal promises Jan Lokpal bill by February

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said his government will bring the promised Jan Lokpal bill by first week of February.

"A committee with the responsibility of drafting the Jan Lokpal Bill was formed today. The committee will draft the Bill and submit it by January 15. We will try to pass the bill by last week of January or first week of February from Ramlila Ground," Kejriwal told reporters here today.

The committee is being headed by the Chief Secretary, while other members are secretaries of Urban Development, Law and Finance departments, besides eminent advocate Rahul Mehra. The committee will prepare the draft of the Bill, even as it has the freedom to co-opt other officials for this purpose.

In its election manifesto, the Aam Aadmi Party had promised passage of the anti-graft bill on December 29 at a special session of the Assembly from the Ramlila Ground if it is voted to power.

Soon after winning the confidence vote in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal had termed the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill as the "most important issue" on the agenda of his government.

"Jan Lokpal Bill is the most important issue on our agenda," he had told reporters. Jan Lokpal bill is AAP's version of the Lokpal, or the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Kejriwal has already announced decisions on reducing water and power tariffs which he had promised before assembly election.

Responding to a query on Lokayukta, Kejriwal said the an anti-corruption ombudsman will be a totally independent body and even the Chief Minister office will have no influence over it.

"At present, the anti-corruption branch is with Delhi police. This branch will be transferred to Lokayukta," Kejriwal said, adding this step is important as otherwise any corruption against the state head will not be investigated properly.