India's Parliament Passes Anti-Corruption Bill

New Delhi, 18 December 2013: India's Parliament has approved on Wednesday a contentious anti-graft bill that empowers an independent ombudsman to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption by politicians and bureaucrats.

The "Lokpal," or watchdog, bill was passed by the lower house of Parliament on Wednesday after the government agreed to several amendments suggested by opposition lawmakers. The bill cleared the upper house on Tuesday.

It will become a law after it is signed by the president.

The anti-corruption bill was spurred by social activist Anna Hazare, who has been on a hunger strike for the last nine days. He has said he will end his fast once both houses of Parliament adopt the bill.

The bill had been in abeyance since 2011, when it was approved by the lower house, but not the upper house.
Source: AP