New Delhi, July 3 (Agencies): The all-party meeting on Lokpal Bill has begun at 7, Race Course Road, the Prime Minister’s residence. The meeting, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh aims at evolving a consensus over the contentious provisions in the draft Lokpal Bill. Affirming government’s commitment to enact Lokpal Act, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said such an institution will have to work within the framework of Constituation.
It was in the all party meet, Singh said that a strong laws to tackle corruption were a necessary but these would not suffice as there was a need to focus on “simplifying procedures, reducing discretion, eliminating arbitrariness and increasing transparency in the way government functions.” The PM noted that there was a feeling that institutional arrangements in place are not strong enough to ensure that the guilty, especially those occupying high positions, are brought to book swiftly and given deterrent punishment. The major points for discussion in the meeting are inclusion of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary, MPs’ conduct inside Parliament and CBI’s anti-corruption wing in the ambit of Lokpal.
It has been learnt that the opposition parties are united on the issue of bringing PM and judiciary in the purview of Lokpal. The all-party meeting comes a day after Gandhian Anna Hazare met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to seek her support for the Jan Lokpal bill - the civil society’s version of the bill. Hazare on Saturday had declared he will go on a fast from August 16 if a comprehensive legislation is not brought to parliament. “If a half-baked bill is sent to parliament, what will the parliament discuss?” Hazare had said yesterday after the meeting with the Congress president at her 10 Janpath residence. Hazare and his colleagues had also met BJP leaders over the bill on Friday.
Political parties remain divided on the issue of including the Prime Minister and higher judiciary in the ambit of the proposed anti-graft legislation. Earlier, BJP sources had revealed that the party is said to be having reservations against civil society demands like inclusion of higher judiciary and MPs’ conduct in Parliament, because this would go against the constitutional provisions. The CPI (M) is of the opinion that whereas the office of the Prime Minister should be covered by the Lokpal with adequate safeguards, the judiciary should be kept out of its ambit. While the Congress favours exclusion of the Prime Minister and the judiciary from the ambit of the proposed bill, there appears no unanimity in the ruling UPA on the issue so far. The DMK, an ally of the Congress, has said that it has no reservation in bringing the Prime Minister in the ambit of the Lokpal.
It was in the all party meet, Singh said that a strong laws to tackle corruption were a necessary but these would not suffice as there was a need to focus on “simplifying procedures, reducing discretion, eliminating arbitrariness and increasing transparency in the way government functions.” The PM noted that there was a feeling that institutional arrangements in place are not strong enough to ensure that the guilty, especially those occupying high positions, are brought to book swiftly and given deterrent punishment. The major points for discussion in the meeting are inclusion of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary, MPs’ conduct inside Parliament and CBI’s anti-corruption wing in the ambit of Lokpal.
It has been learnt that the opposition parties are united on the issue of bringing PM and judiciary in the purview of Lokpal. The all-party meeting comes a day after Gandhian Anna Hazare met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to seek her support for the Jan Lokpal bill - the civil society’s version of the bill. Hazare on Saturday had declared he will go on a fast from August 16 if a comprehensive legislation is not brought to parliament. “If a half-baked bill is sent to parliament, what will the parliament discuss?” Hazare had said yesterday after the meeting with the Congress president at her 10 Janpath residence. Hazare and his colleagues had also met BJP leaders over the bill on Friday.
Political parties remain divided on the issue of including the Prime Minister and higher judiciary in the ambit of the proposed anti-graft legislation. Earlier, BJP sources had revealed that the party is said to be having reservations against civil society demands like inclusion of higher judiciary and MPs’ conduct in Parliament, because this would go against the constitutional provisions. The CPI (M) is of the opinion that whereas the office of the Prime Minister should be covered by the Lokpal with adequate safeguards, the judiciary should be kept out of its ambit. While the Congress favours exclusion of the Prime Minister and the judiciary from the ambit of the proposed bill, there appears no unanimity in the ruling UPA on the issue so far. The DMK, an ally of the Congress, has said that it has no reservation in bringing the Prime Minister in the ambit of the Lokpal.
No consensus at all-party meet
NEW Delhi, Jult 3 (Agencies): The crucial all-party meeting on the Lokpal Bill on Sunday ended with no consensus over the Lokpal Bill draft, sources said, and that another all-party meeting will be held soon. After the meeting, TDP leader Nama Nageswara Rao said that the Prime Minister should be brought under the Lokpal Bill. “The government has delayed the Lokpal Bill. The Prime Minister must be included and judicial accounts bill need to be included.” A one line resolution was passed at the meeting saying that there should be a strong Lokpal Bill.
While, the BJP said that they are in favour of a strong Lokpal Bill, the party remained silent on the issue of whether or not should the Prime Minister be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said, “We want Lokpal to be transparent, we want the Bill in this monsoon session and then it should go to the standing committee, so that everyone can give their view and it can be passed in the winter session.” Swaraj, however, said that the party has differences with the government’s draft of the bill. “The problem arises on the question of who will select the Lokpal and who else will be in its purview. We will give more details in Parliament,” she said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vouched for a strong Lokpal Bill at the all-party meet on the issue and said that the government is committed to the enactment of a Lokpal Act, which provides for a strong, effective and quick institutional arrangement for tackling corruption in high places. “Lokpal has to work in harmony with other institutions and laws and it has to function within the framework of basic structure of Constitution,” he said. The government called the meeting after the joint panel hit a dead end. Most parties have still been undecided on the contentious provisions of the Lokpal Bill. The BJP has been keeping its cards close to its chest, but the party had said that it was in no way trying to bail out the government by attending the all-party meeting.
While, the BJP said that they are in favour of a strong Lokpal Bill, the party remained silent on the issue of whether or not should the Prime Minister be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said, “We want Lokpal to be transparent, we want the Bill in this monsoon session and then it should go to the standing committee, so that everyone can give their view and it can be passed in the winter session.” Swaraj, however, said that the party has differences with the government’s draft of the bill. “The problem arises on the question of who will select the Lokpal and who else will be in its purview. We will give more details in Parliament,” she said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vouched for a strong Lokpal Bill at the all-party meet on the issue and said that the government is committed to the enactment of a Lokpal Act, which provides for a strong, effective and quick institutional arrangement for tackling corruption in high places. “Lokpal has to work in harmony with other institutions and laws and it has to function within the framework of basic structure of Constitution,” he said. The government called the meeting after the joint panel hit a dead end. Most parties have still been undecided on the contentious provisions of the Lokpal Bill. The BJP has been keeping its cards close to its chest, but the party had said that it was in no way trying to bail out the government by attending the all-party meeting.
