PM fast-tracked Lokpal bill

New Delhi: It was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who played the decisive role in making clear the government’s intent of putting Lokpal on the fastrack in Rajya Sabha and to get the anti-corruption bill cleared in the Winter Session of Parliament itself.

According to top sources Dr Singh categorically told his minister of state in PMO V. Narayanasamy, who also heads DoPT, the nodal ministry for Lokpal Bill, even before the December 8 Assembly results were out that the bill was a top priority for UPA during Parliament’s Winter Session.

Narayanasamy on his part then gave a notice to the Rajya Sabha chairman for discussion on the Lokpal Bill to incorporate changes suggested by the Select Committee.

Sources said though the Assembly results further expedited the process of getting the Lokpal Bill through in Parliament both the PMO and the DoPT had initiated the process before the results were out.

“Even if the results had gone in favour of Congress our stand on the Lokpal issue would have been the same. The Central government was always serious about a strong anti-corruption law and the intent was to get it cleared during the winters session only,’’ a senior government functionary told this newspaper.

Sources said the PM personally called Narayanasamy and directed him to take all measures ensuring that the Lokpal Bill got cleared in the ongoing Parliament session which is being viewed the last for the UPA Government before the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Realising PM’s clear intent on the Lokpal issue parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath too swung into action to evolve a broader political consensus on the issue and ensure its smooth passage in both Houses of Parliament.

Both PM and the UPA chairperson, sources added, were of the view that for the passage of the bill the government should take the opposition parties on board and accommodate their viewpoints also in the final bill.

'It is precisely for this reason that the BJP was happy to support the Bill as the Government incorporate most their demands in the final Bill,’’a UPA Minister added.

Next: Elders pass historic Lokpal

Elders pass historic Lokpal

 
New Delhi: Another hurdle in the creation of a Lokpal, or anti-corruption ombudsman, which was pending for over four decades, was cleared Tuesday as the Rajya Sabha passed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011 by voice vote after a five-hour debate.

The Bill, which had been passed in a different form in the Lok Sabha in December 2011, will now be considered afresh by the Lower House on Wednesday as it has undergone several official amendments.

Four hours have been allotted for the debate in the Lok Sabha. The passage of the bill in the Upper House adds another feather in the cap of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi ahead of next year’s general election.

The anti-corruption law proposes, among other things, to bring within its purview the Prime Minister too, with certain safeguards, as well as other public servants. It was passed with the full support of the BJP.

Law minister Kapil Sibal said it was a “historic” day, and hoped all states will soon pass similar laws to set up lokayuktas modelled on the bill.

SP boycotts proceedings in Rajya Sabha

The Samajwadi Party, a strong opponent to the creation of Lokpal, boycotted the Rajya Sabha proceedings after staging a walkout soon after it took up the Lokpal Bill consideration.

SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said it will take the country towards a “state of indecision”, and that everyone would be afraid of the Lokpal.

After passing of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, in the Rajya Sabha, law minister Kapil Sibal said the law alone would not eliminate corruption, but it could help deal with those who are corrupt. He said the overall consensus was in favour of bringing the Prime Minister under the purview of the new law.

Supporting the Bill, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said he was happy the government had accepted all the changes. “The political atmosphere is different today. I believe the government has gained some insight on the matter between December 29, 2011 and today due to the changed political atmosphere.”