The Union Government has sought suggestion from people on a proposed anti-graft law which will facilitate extradition and prosecution of foreign public officials involved in bribery. The suggestions on the Bill, which was introduced in Lok Sabha on 25th of last month will help India ratify the UN Convention on Corruption.

The bill titled Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organisations, prohibits accepting or giving bribe and makes such acts punishable with imprisonment of upto seven years. The public notification issued yesterday says, views can be given till 30th of this month.

The Bill says, bribery involving foreign public officials in international transactions is not covered under the existing Acts and therefore a need has been felt to bring a legislation to give effect to the Convention. Under the bill, foreign public official means any person holding a legislative, executive, administrative or judicial office of a foreign country.

AIR correspondent reports that during the G-20 Summit in Seoul last November, India had signed its anti-corruption action plan, which requires it to ratify and implement the UN Convention. In February, a Group of Ministers had decided to recommend a stand alone legislation on corruption to amend the relevant Indian laws to enable India ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption.

Once a signatory country ratifies the Convention, its private citizens, including businessmen, who indulge in corruption are liable to be punished. Moreover, Indian agencies can seek cooperation of the signatory countries in investigating cases where they have information about the accused or his kin holding bank accounts in foreign countries.