Govt to introduce Lokpal Bill in first week of monsoon session

The Lokpal Bill would be introduced in the first week of the Monsoon session of Parliament, Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajeev Shukla said today.

"The government will introduce the Lokpal Bill passed by the cabinet in the very first week of the monsoon session," Shukla said.

On members of civil society opposing the government's bill, he said it should be left on the wisdom of the Parliament as to what type of bill it should be.

"Those who are opposing the bill should wait for the Parliament's decision first before calling it a 'jokepal' bill," he said.

The minister said that Parliament's decision is not that of one party alone.

"The government is bringing an effective Lokpal Bill. It is not possible for one party or a person to decide what type of a bill it should be," he said.

When questioned about Anna Hazare's proposed agitation on the issue of Lokpal Bill from August 16, he said that government does not prevent the people from staging dharna or demonstration as it's their democratic right.

However, whether dharna should be allowed at Jantar Mantar or Rajghat, it should be left on the wisdom of Delhi police as many factors are to be taken into consideration, he said.

When asked whether the police were going soft against Amar Singh in cash for vote controversy, Shukla said there was no interference from the government.

"The government is neither protecting nor framing anyone," he said.