Govt drafts honest note on Lokpal

Dec 19, 2011 - Rajnish Sharma |

New Delhi

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After hectic deliberations in the highest quarters through the day, the government by late Sunday
evening had put together the draft Cabinet note on the contentious Lokpal Bill.

Government sources said the draft note tries to address virtually all key issues on which there has been a difference of opinion between the government and Team Anna.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the proposed draft note at a late-night meeting with ministers Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, Salman Khurshid, Kapil Sibal and V. Narayansamy.

Sources said the various issues related to the draft note were discussed at the meeting and some more 'fine-tuning' might be done before it is placed before the Cabinet on Monday. Mr Mukherjee also briefed the Cabinet on the key issues being included in the Cabinet note.

On the issue of bringing the Prime Minister under the ambit of the Lokpal, the draft note states that the PM indeed should be brought under the ambit of the anti-corruption body but with some safeguards, particularly related to national security.

Then at least three-fourth members of the nine-member Lokpal have to consent to initiate a preliminary enquiry (PE) against the PM.

The complaint against the PM should have the backing of as many as 100 MPs.

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