Lokpal Bill held up as opposition disrupting Parliament: Govt

The government has taken all possible steps and intends to pass the Lokpal Bill as early as possible but opposition parties have not been allowing Parliament to function, Union Minister V Narayanasamy today said.

The Lok Sabha had already passed the Lokpal Bill and it was a priority to have it debated in the Rajya Sabha, he told reporters outside Parliament House.

"Opposition parties are not allowing the House to function. Therefore, as soon as the House comes to order, the government will take Lokpal Bill on a priority for discussion and voting. Therefore from the government side, we have done everything, we are ready to pass the Bill as early as possible," Narayanasamy said.

"In the Lok Sabha, it was passed. As far as the Rajya Sabha is concerned, it went to the select committee of the Rajya Sabha. Select committee gave thirteen recommendations which have been accepted by the government. The Cabinet approved and then I requested the chairman of the Rajya Sabha to take up the Bill for discussion. It is pending in the Rajya Sabha," he said.

Asked if it was not the responsibility of the government to run the House, Narayanasamy agreed but added that the opposition is also responsible.

"They should not violate the rules and regulations, not violate the code of conduct," he said.