I wish all Indians a very happy republic day. It was on this day in 1950 that our constitution came into effect and free India has transformed to Republic of India. Our constitution enforced 61 years ago is still able to safeguard the largest democracy in the world. It is this constitution that brought diversified provinces in independent India under one parliamentary system. My sincere thanks to Dr. Rajendra Prasad and his team in the constituent assembly for giving us this wonderful constitution.

The year 2011 was a litmus test to this powerful constitution. An old honest man launched an anti-corruption agitation and demanded for a strong lokpal bill. People actively participated in this peaceful protest and sent a strong message to the parliament that the people of India need a strong anti-corruption legislation. By doing so, we have demonstrated that the true power in a democratic country lies in the people. The parliament had to acknowledge the voice of the people and introduce the bill for debate in Loksabha and Rajya Sabha. Though the anti-corruption mission was initiated by the people, it is the parliament that makes the legislation. To people like me, it seemed at some point that parliament would crush the agitation or Anna Hazare force would bypass the parliament in making legislation. The people of India and parliament had complete faith in the constitution and availed a democratic process in enforcing a lokpal bill. It is a true victory for Indian democracy. The constitution has prevailed. Through this exercise, India has proved to the world that it is the brand ambassador for democratic governance. I am proud to be a citizen of this fabulous country.

Happy republic day.

For complete information about Lokpal bill and updates on Anna Hazare's revolution against corruption, please follow the link http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org/

Issue	The Jan Lokpal Bill	Government's Lokpal Bill
Prime Minister	Can be investigated with permission of seven member Lokpal bench.	PM can be investigated by Lokpal after she/he vacates office.
Judiciary	Can be investigated, though high level members may be investigated only with permission of a seven member Lokpal bench.	Judiciary is exempt and will be covered by a separate "judicial accountability bill".
Conduct of MPs	Can be investigated with permission of seven member Lokpal bench.	Can be investigated, but their conduct within Parliament, such as voting, cannot be investigated.
Lower bureaucracy	All public servants would be included.	Only senior officers (Group A) will be covered.
Anti-corruption wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)	The Anti-corruption wing of the CBI will be merged into the Lokpal.	The Anti-corruption wing of the CBI not be merged into the Lokpal.
Removal of Lokpal members and Chair	Any person can bring a complaint to the Supreme Court, who can then recommend removal of any member to the President.	Any "aggrieved party" can raise a complaint to the President, who will refer the matter to the CJI.
Removal of Lokpal staff and officers	Complaints against Lokpal staff will be handled by independent boards set-up in each state, composed of retired bureaucrats, judges, and civil society members.	Lokpal will conduct inquiries into its own behavior.
Lokayukta	Lokakyukta and other local/state anti-corruption agency would remain in place.	All state anti-corruption agencies would be closed and responsibilities taken over by centralized Lokpal.
Whistleblower protection	Whistleblowers are protected by Lokpal.	No protection granted to whistleblowers by Lokpal.
Punishment for corruption	Lokpal can either directly impose penalties, or refer the matter to the courts. Penalties can include removal from office, imprisonment, and recovery of assets from those who benefited from the corruption.	Lokpal can only refer matters to the courts, not take any direct punitive actions. Penalties remain equivalent to those in current law.
Investigatory powers	Lokpal can obtain wiretaps ( to make a connection to a telegraph or telephone wire in order to obtain information secretly), issue rogatory letters, and recruit investigating officers. Cannot issue contempt orders.	Lokpal can issue contempt orders, and has the ability to punish those in contempt. No authority to obtain wiretaps, issue rogatory letters, or recruit investigating officers.
False, frivolous and vexatious complaints	Lokpal can issue fines for frivolous complaints (including frivolous complaints against Lokpal itself), with a maximum penalty of 1 lakh.	Court system will handle matters of frivolous complaints. Courts can issue fines of Rs25,000 to 2 lakh.
NGOs	NGOs not within the scope due to their role in exposing corruption.	NGOs are within the scope and can be investigated.

Difference between Jan Lokpal Bill and Draft Lokpal Bill 2010
Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill)	Draft Lokpal Bill (2010)
Lokpal will have powers to initiate suo moto action or receive complaints of corruption from the general public.	Lokpal will have no power to initiate suo motu action or receive complaints of corruption from the general public. It can only probe complaints forwarded by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Lokpal will have the power to initiate prosecution of anyone found guilty.	Lokpal will only be an Advisory Body with a role limited to forwarding reports to a "Competent Authority".
Lokpal will have police powers as well as the ability to register FIRs.	Lokpal will have no police powers and no ability to register an FIR or proceed with criminal investigations.
Lokpal and the anti corruption wing of the CBI will be one independent body.	The CBI and Lokpal will be unconnected.
Punishments will be a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of up to life imprisonment.	Punishment for corruption will be a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of up to 7 years.