The Union Cabinet is likely to meet either on December 18 or 19 after
the return of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from Russia to take a call
on the contentious issues related to the Lokpal Bill on the basis of
inputs given by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and the all-party
meet on Wednesday night.
According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, the
government intends to move the Bill in the Lok Sabha on December 20 for
consideration and passage, along with amendments, if any, approved by
the Cabinet.
Given the divergent views among political parties, particularly on the
nature of jurisdiction of the Lokpal over the CBI and the Central
Vigilance Commission and the modalities over bringing the office of
Prime Minister within the ambit of the institution, the task of the
government is cut out in shaping amendments to the Bill to ensure its
smooth sailing in both Houses of Parliament.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and Left parties are emphatic that without
the investigative wing of the CBI under it, the Lokpal will not be
effective. There is a broad consensus within the United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) on bringing Prime Minister under the Lokpal, but with
caveats. The ruling combine is of the view that inclusion of Prime
Minister should be with safeguards covering national security and
foreign affairs.
The UPA leaders are not willing to talk in concrete terms on how exactly
the government would go about reconciling the differences. Indications
are that the government is keen on according constitutional status to
the Lokpal, a suggestion made by Congress general secretary Rahul
Gandhi.
For the record, all political parties are for adoption of the Bill in
the current session of Parliament and assert that it has nothing to do
with the threat of another agitation by activist Anna Hazare.
Since the winter session is scheduled to end on December 22, the
government is looking at various options, including its extension after
the Christmas break in a bid to see through the Bill in the session.
Keywords: Lokpal Bill, Parliament Session, Winter Session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal, UPA Government
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