With civil society representatives submitting two documents to the government outlining “principles and objects” for the proposed law at the second meeting of the joint Lokpal Bill drafting committee on Monday, the members decided to fast-track the process of preparing a strong anti-graft bill and agreed to meet again on May 7, 23 and 30 to discuss the matter further.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, HRD minister and panel member Kapil Sibal said, “The civil society representatives on the joint drafting committee presented a document with respect to the objects of the bill as well as a document which enunciated the general principles underlying the bill.”
Informing that the committee has decided to “quicken” the process of finalising the bill and meet the June 30 deadline, a member in formed that apart from three meetings scheduled for this month, if need be, “we may even meet on a daily basis in June to keep with the deadline to help the government introduce the bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament”.
“The talks were very good. The civil society members and we will think about the proposals given by both sides and discuss again in our next meeting to be held on May 7. But the meeting was very good, very cooperative. There was no difference of opinion,” Mr Sibal said.
Highlighting the main focus of the Monday meeting civil society member and lawyer Prashant Bhushan said, “The discussion was on essential features, objects and reasons of the bill, which has been prepared according to the main provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption.”
Revealing the broad vision of the document submitted by civil society representatives, a member said it stresses on the need to set up an effective anti-graft mechanism so that the faith of the people in the system remains intact.
Replying to a question, Mr Sibal said there was no difference of opinion during the meeting. The civil society members explained the principles and objects they had in mind for the Lokpal Bill and “broadly discussed” the issue, he added.
Noting that everything was going according to the plan, Mr Sibal insisted that the objective is to have a strong Lokpal Bill to “fight the malaise of corruption”.
The first meeting of the joint committee, formed after Gandhian Anna Hazare led an agitation to press the demand, was held on April 16.
Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Monday dismissed a petition of an NGO against Mr Hazare.