Union Cabinet gives nod to amendments in the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its nod to amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988 by pursuing the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
The proposed amendments in the bill to amend parent Act mainly aim at laying down more stringent measures to tackle corruption.
It also seeks to fill in the perceived gaps in the domestic anti-corruption law as per the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
Key Amendments

• Proposes more stringent punishment for the offences of bribery, both for the bribe giver and the bribe taker.
• Enhances punishment from the minimum 6 months to 3 years and from the maximum five years to seven years.
• Extends the protection of prior sanction for prosecution to public servants who cease to hold office due to retirement and resignation.
• Non-monetary gratification is also be covered within the definition of the word gratification in the PCA 1988.

Background
The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2013. But the Bill was not passed in Rajya Sabha.
The amendment Bill incorporates the recommendations given by the 20th Law Commission headed by Justice (retd) AP Shah in its 254th Report in order to bring anti-corruption law in line with the UNCAC.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2015