CVC heads PID& PPM ,the Whistle Blowers bill

A landmark decision,the Cabinet today gave a green signal for the "Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosure Bill 2010," aimed at protecting the Whistle Blowers.It also has provisions for punishing those who expose the identity of such people.The PID& PPM bill provides for prevention of victimization or disciplinary action against those who expose corruption in government and public sector organisations. The Central vigilance Commission, CVC will be the nodal agency to protect the identity of whistle blowers.

In case the identity is disclosed, the superiors of the victims will be held responsible. Our correspondent says that the proposed legislation called Public Interest Disclosure and Protection for persons making disclosures Bill comes close on the heels of the murder of an activist of Right to Information, Amit Jethwa in Gujarat last month.Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosure Bill, 2010 provides the Central Vigilance Commission powers of a civil court to hand down harsh penalty to people revealing the identity of whistleblowers.

The bill was approved at a meeting of the Union Cabinet.The bill, which has provisions to prevent victimization or disciplinary action against whistleblowers will cover, Central, State and Public Sector Employees.The Bill is expected to encourage disclosure of information in public interest and people who expose corruption in government.

The bill has clauses which provide fine and penalties to people, who punish those exposing corruption.The CVC will be the nodal authority to handle complaints against the state, Central government or PSU employees.According to reports, the CVC will also have powers to punish those making frivolous complaints in accordance with the bill's provisions.