BJP raises pitch on Lokpal
The Opposition is all set to corner the government on the corruption issue behind the demand of a discussion on the Lokpal Bill which it wants to be taken up on Tuesday. But the government plans to bring this bill for consideration and passing in the Rajya Sabha in the second part of the Budget Session of Parliament.
A confrontation on this Bill appears certain after the main Opposition BJP demanded a discussion on Tuesday on the issue at a time when the government decided to take it up in the second part of the Budget Session beginning April 24.
This became clear with parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal saying that the priority of the government was to get the vote on account passed by March 30 and bills like the Lokpal Bill will be taken up in the second part.
Close on the heels of Mr Bansal’s statement, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he would give a notice for suspension of the Question Hour in the Upper House on Tuesday for discussion on the Lokpal Bill.
Discussion on the motion of thanks to the President for her address to Parliament is on the agenda for Tuesday.
While the Railway Budget is scheduled for March 14, Economic Survey will be tabled in Parliament the next day and the General Budget will be presented on March 16.
In his customary eve-of-the-session media interaction, Mr Bansal said the government has “very little time” for legislative business in the first part of the session inspite of the fact that 39 bills are listed for consideration and passing, including the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, which has been approved by the Lok Sabha.
The minister said that nearly 200 amendments to the Bill moved in the Upper House in the previous session had lapsed after it was prorogued and members have started giving amendments afresh.
“One member has moved some amendments. I believe some others may also do so. Even the government will have to move amendments afresh. These will have to be examined before taking them up for discussion,” Mr Bansal said. Soon after the BJP’s threat to take up the Lokpal issue, Congress president Sonia Gandhi held consultations with her senior colleagues.
Those present included finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, Mr Bansal, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh and political secretary to Congress president Ahmad Patel.
Mr Mukherjee also held a meeting with BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Yashwant Sinha.
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