Govt open to suggestions on Lokpal, never said no to JC: Moily
A day after social activist Anna Hazare launched his fast-unto-death on the Lokpal Bill issue, Government on Wednesday said it was open to any suggestion on the proposed legislation and had not turned down his demand for a joint committee.
Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said that the government was open to suggestions even though it was "anxious to introduce the Bill in the next session". He said the government "did not say no" on demand for a Joint Committee to draft the bill after a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on corruption held discussions with representatives of Hazare and other members of civil society.
"Even on the demand for joint committee, we said we were open. We never closed our mind even on the formation of joint committee...In principle we did not say no," Moily said adding, that the Prime Minister was open to all suggestions on the bill. He said though the bill has already been drafted, it will not "find a finality" unless it goes to Parliamentary Standing Committee.
"The Standing Committee can always throw it open to discussions and deliberations with everyone. No bill is passed in hide and seek manner. Parliament has the most transparent way of functioning in our country," Moily said.
72-year-old Hazare is observing a fast-unto-death demanding enactment of an anti-corruption bill to give wider powers to the Ombudsman. He is pressing for formation of a joint committee comprising 50 per cent officials and the remaining citizens and intellectuals to draft the Bill.
Meanwhile, party spokesperson Manish Tewari said Hazare should "reconsider his stand (of fast unto death) and accept the government's offer of a constructive dialogue."
"The Prime Minister of India has enormous respect for the cause Anna Hazare advances and advocates. However, these are complex issues. What should be the Ombudsman, what should be the character of the Lokpal. “
"And ultimately it is for the government to propose a legislation and for Parliament to dispose it and between that two, there is enough room for civil society to give their inputs," Tewari said.
He said, "We personally hold Hazare in high esteem but given that these are complex government issues and there are enough planes and joints to give inputs, he should reconsider his stand..." Tewari said. The Congress spokesperson refused to comment on reports that a section of Congress suspects Hazare was doing this at the behest of RSS.
"We never dignify rumours and speculations with a response. At the highest level of the government, it has been underlined and underscored that none less than the Prime Minister of India has enormous respect for the cause Hazare advances and advocates," he said.
Post new comment