Govt bows to Mamata on Lok Pal, agrees to almost all demands of the Opposition too
Ahead of the Presidential poll in July, the government buckled under the pressure of the allies and the Opposition parties alike on the Lok Pal and Lokayukta Bill.
With the smooth passage of the Finance Bill in Parliament this week, the government has now decided to buy peace with all and remove irritants. More than 200 amendments were introduced in the Lok Pal Bill in the rajya Sabha during the winter session. The bill was deferred as UPA allies, the Left & the BJP opposed its provisions. The house had to be adjourned sine die abruptly.
Dr Hamid Ansari earned Opposition's ire too. But this was set off with Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee first losing cool in the Lok Sabha today and then apologising profousely.
Now the government has decided to take five steps;
1. The provisions regarding Lokayukta will be taken away and powers will be given to the state governments to enact their own laws from the Lok Pal Bill;
2. The appointment of Lok Pals will be made more simpler;
3. The CBI will remain under the government. But it will be made more accountable and answerable;
4. Group C and D officers will be outside the Lok Pal;
5. The procedures and action against Prime Minister with regard to complaints against him or her have to be made tougher and cannot be general in nature and confidentiality has to be maintained unless prima facie proved otherwise
The government, it is learnt, has started discussions with the leaders of the various parties and make a move in the Rajya Sabha where it is lying dorment.
Ends
