TimeLine: Lokpal Bill

1968: It was in the year 1968 that the Lokpal and Lokayukt Bill was introduced in the parliament. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. The bill was lapsed, however, it lapsed as the Lok Sabha was dissolved. The PM and the MPs were not covered in the initial bill.

August 1971: The bill could not be referred to a committee. It lapsed as the Lok Sabha dissolved. The PM and the MPs were not covered in this draft also.

July 1977: Lok Sabha was dissolved even before the recommendations of the Joint Select committee could be considered. The PM was not covered under Lokpal but the MPs were.

August 1985: The government withdrew the bill even though it was referred to the Joint Select Committee. Once again, the PM was not covered.

September 1989: Prime Minister VP Singh referred to the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs, however, the bill lapsed on the dissolution of the 9th Lok Sabha.

September 1996: The Parliamentary Standing Committee presented its report the next year. It had made some amendments to the Bill. However, the bill once again lapsed due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

August 1998: Even before the government could decide anything on the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, the Lok Sabha was dissolved and thus the bill could not be passed again.

August 2001: Once again, the bill was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs. Once again, the bill saw the same fate and could not be passed as the Lok Sabha lapsed.

October, 2010: Arvind Kejriwal (from team Anna) wrote a letter to the

Prime Minister to draft the new Lokpal Bill with suggestions. The struggle for the Janlokpal Bill started anew under Anna Hazare's leadership.