BACKGROUND
contentious issues like PM inclusion etc that occurred between civil society n government are to be discussed in an all-party meet , so that it may be presented before cabinet on july 7.
At the long-awaited all-party meet on the issue on Sunday(July 3, 2011 ) , both the ruling Congress and principal Opposition party BJP papered over their differences on critical issues like bringing the Prime Minister and members of Parliament under the Lokpal's ambit. Instead, the meet resolved that the government should introduce a Bill to set up a "strong and effective" anti-corruption ombudsman during the monsoon session of Parliament beginning August 1.
The all-party meeting, which lasted over two hours, was held at the 7 Race Course Road residence of PM Manmohan Singh. All major parties, except the Shiv Sena, attended. Emerging from the meeting, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said the BJP had differences with the government on the Bill's provisions. "We have differences over the procedure for selecting the Lokpal, its jurisdiction and the qualifications of the person for the post," she said. But significantly, Swaraj said the Bill should be introduced in Parliament during the Monsoon Session and then be referred to the standing committee so that parties, state governments and other organisations can give their suggestions.
Team Anna sought to draw attention to the civil society's viewpoints on the Bill's contentious provisions such as bringing the PM, higher judiciary, MPs and the entire bureaucracy under the purview of the proposed Lokpal. While the Congress has opposed providing the Lokpal such an extended ambit, the BJP has been largely tightlipped on its exact stand on these contentious issues. Even on Sunday, Swaraj said her party would go into the details only at the level of Parliament. Setting the deliberations in motion, the PM said that the government was committed to introducing the Bill during the Monsoon Session. "While considerable progress was achieved in evolving a consensus on many issues, a few important matters remain on which there is a divergence in our views and those of the nominees of Shri Anna Hazare," he said.
"The institution of the Lokpal has to work in harmony with other institutions and laws, and it has to function within the framework of the basic structure of our Constitution. It has to add to, and not detract from, the legitimate role and authority of other institutions in our democratic structure," Manmohan Singh said,
Singh had recently said that while he personally had no objection to bringing the PM in the Lokpal's ambit, his ministers had objected to it, lest the provision collide with the basic structure of the Constitution. "The Constitution provides for an intricate system of checks and balances and the new institution of Lokpal has to find an appropriate place in that matrix," the Prime Minister said.
The DMK even wanted the higher judiciary to be brought under it. But the AIADMK said bringing the PM under its purview could encourage frivolous complaints. Political leaders, who attended the meeting, were unanimous in saying that there should be no further delay in establishing the Lokpal to combat corruption. "We want a strong and effective Lokpal. The problems in the country have happened because of the delay in bringing the Lokpal Bill. We also support the provision of bringing the PM under the Lokpal," TDP representative Nageshwar Rao said.
Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/lokpal-bill-all-party-meet-in-delhi/1/143537.html
