As the government intends to bring back the amended Lokpal Bill to the Rajya Sabha next week, the Union Cabinet is likely to consider the controversial legislation at its meeting to be held on Thursday.
Sources in the government said in the backdrop of numerous amendments suggested by the members of the Rajya Sabha, the government has broadly zeroed in on two major counts — provision of Lokayukta and removal process of Lokpal and its other members.
The redrafted bill, which may come up for discussion in the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, sources said, will provide just a “model of Lokayukta” for the state to enact their own law and in case of removal of Lokpal and its other members, the power will vest in Parliament. “With the support of 100 MPs, the process of removal could be initiated and executed,” sources added. Originally, the right to initiate the removal process was given to any ordinary citizen and could be executed by the government after a thorough enquiry.
To evolve a consensus, as several Opposition parties and also key UPA ally Trinamul Congress (TMC) pressed for removal Lokayukta provision in the original bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in the Winter Session of Parliament, the government held several rounds of discussion with floor leaders in the Rajya Sabha.
Even if the government brings the amended bill to the Rajya Sabha on Monday and gets it passed by the House, the legislation has to go back to the Lok Sabha for its approval.
Given the fact that the current session is coming to an end on May 22, the government managers are not sure if they would able to get it through the Lower House of Parliament.