The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 by a voice vote, which seeks to make giving bribes to a public servant an offense and there is a provision of punishment in such act.
In the House debate, Minister for Personnel and Public Grievances Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the legislation against the corruption has been made wide based. He said the bill has been brought in the House after it was deliberated in the Standing Committee, Law Commission and finally after holding consultations in the Select Committee.
Members from other political parties including AIADMK, CPI and DMK participated in the discussion.
The Bill introduces the offense of giving a bribe as a direct offense. However, a person who is compelled to give a bribe will not be charged with the offense if he reports the matter to law enforcement authorities within seven days.
Now the bill will be tabled in the Lok Sabha.