Corruption and Maladministration — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act	2018	This amendment significantly overhauled the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It criminalized the act of giving a bribe, making both the bribe-giver and bribe-taker liable, with provisions for protection if reported under duress. It also introduced a time limit for trial completion and expanded the definition of 'public servant.'	Aimed at strengthening the anti-corruption framework by making the bribe-giver accountable and expediting trials. However, the requirement of prior sanction for investigation against public servants, even retired ones, has been criticized for potentially hindering investigations and providing a shield to corrupt officials.
Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Act	2016	This amendment modified the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, primarily concerning the declaration of assets and liabilities by public servants and their dependents. It extended the deadline for filing asset declarations and allowed for the declaration of assets of spouses and dependent children to be made in a specified format without public disclosure.	Aimed to address practical difficulties in implementing the asset declaration provisions. While providing some relief to public servants, it also raised concerns about reduced transparency regarding the assets of family members, potentially weakening a key anti-corruption measure.
Right to Information (Amendment) Act	2019	This amendment altered the terms and conditions of service for the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners (ICs) at both central and state levels. It empowered the Central Government to prescribe the term of office and salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service.	This amendment was controversial as critics argued it undermined the independence of the information commissions by giving the central government greater control over their tenure and emoluments. This could potentially weaken the RTI Act's effectiveness as a tool for transparency and accountability, thereby indirectly impacting anti-corruption efforts.