Wednesday's all-party meeting at prime minister Manmohan Singh's home failed to reach a consensus on the Lokpal bill with each party voicing its views on key elements like keeping the PM and the lower bureaucracy within the Lokpal's ambit.
Wednesday's all-party meeting at prime minister Manmohan Singh's home failed to reach a consensus on the Lokpal bill with each party voicing its views on key elements like keeping the PM and the lower bureaucracy within the Lokpal's ambit.
Singh sought cooperation to ensure its passage during the current session saying the "momentous" Lokpal bill should not become a subject of party politics. The government wants to pass the bill in Parliament based on consensus, he said while seeking "guidance and cooperation in this matter of paramount importance".
While the BJP stressed on including Group C and D employees in the Lokpal, the CPI staunchly opposed it. CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta ruled out the inclusion of Group C and D employees citing the sheer number of such employees. The Left parties also demanded that the Lokpal should be accountable to Parliament.
The BJP also wanted to have the CBI's investigative wing under the Lokpal. Both the Left and the Right were, however, on the same page on including the PM. Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader SS Dhindsa said the CBI should be independent but the Lokpal should have a say in the selection of its director. There was also a strong demand for reservation in Lokpal for SC/STs and OBCs.
Singh said the government was committed to implement in letter and spirit an “effective” Lokpal Bill that would have a “positive impact in curbing corruption without affecting our system of public administration”. The Lokpal bill is likely to come up for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Dec 20, two days before the winter session ends. Talks are doing the rounds that the session might be extended or the government might convene a session in Jan 2012 to get the Lokpal bill passed.
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