Lokpal Bill in LS on Dec. 19
The parliamentary standing committee examining the Lokpal Bill on Wednesday adopted its report on the proposed anti-corruption ombudsman law. It has 16 dissent notes, including last-minute ones by three Congress members, who favour inclusion of Group C employees within its purview.
The final report leaves the controversial question of including the Prime Minister under the Lokpal’s ambit to the wisdom of Parliament.
BJP, BJD and Left members gave dissenting notes seeking the Prime Minister’s inclusion with some safeguards. Three Congress members — Deepa Das Munshi, P.T. Thomas and Meenakshi Natarajan — gave dissent notes at the final adoption meeting demanding inclusion of Group C employees under the Lokpal’s purview and making the CVC accountable to the ombudsman.
The final report had kept Group C employees out of the Lokpal’s ambit. The report, without taking a position, also recommended three options on the Prime Minister issue: inclusion without exception and qualifications; inclusion with no exclusionary caveats but after demitting office; and inclusion with a caveat leaving out issues like national security and foreign affairs.
The committee chairman, Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi, said the report is likely to be tabled in Parliament on Friday.
Government sources indicated the Lokpal Bill could be passed in the ongoing session. The sources said if the report was tabled Friday, a fresh bill with government amendments could come before the LS on December 19, and be placed before the RS on December 21.
Dissent notes have also been submitted by SP, RJD and LJP members.
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