The Law Commission
of India, in its 179th report on the Public Interest
Disclosure and Protection of Informers, has recommended some measures
to check the evil of corruption in the Government through enactment
of a law titled "The Public Interest Disclosure (Protection
of Informers) Bill".
The Commission has
stated that corruption has become a global malaise and for its
eradication, whistle blowing laws have been enacted by the United
Kingdom, the USA and Australia. Corrupt practices violate human
rights and basic freedom and affect the development of a nation.
It was, therefore, necessary to protect informers in order to
eliminate corruption.
While considering
such a report, the Commission made an in-depth study and kept
in view the needs and circumstances of our country. In this connection,
the Commission also referred to its 161st report on
Central Vigilance Commission and Allied Bodies in 1998 and 166th
report on the Corrupt Public Servants (Forfeiture of Property)
Bill in 1999 to tackle this problem.
The Bill is intended
to encourage disclosure of information relating to
the conduct of any
public servant involving the commission of an offence under Prevention
of Corruption Act, 1988 or any other law for the time being in
force. It is also designed to check abuse of official position
or mal-administration and protect the person making such disclosure.
The recommendations
follow a request from the Central Vigilance Commission with reference
to a speech of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee condemning
rampant corruption and highlighting the principle of "zero
tolerance".
