Parliamentary panel on Lokpal Bill seeks more time to give report

The parliamentary committtee examining the Lokpal Bill has sought one more week to submit its report on the subject. The committee, which was to submit its report on December 7, has sought the additional time apparently to hold another round of meeting to finalise the report to be presented to Parliament.Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohd Hamid Ansari has called the committee's head Abhishek Singhvi tomorrow to explain the necessity for seeking extension of time.One more meeting of the committee is likely for final adoption and giving an opportunity to members to give their dissent notes which BJP and other opposition parties have planned.At a meeting last week, the committee had finalised the draft report on the bill which excludes Group C officials out of the Lokpal's ambit but BJP and Left parties objected to some of the recommendations.The initial draft report of the committee excludes the prime minister and the judiciary from the ambit of the Lokpal.

Chairman of the Committee Abhishek Singhvi said that it will be a short procedural extension of four days since the original term was coming to an end on December 7.