Lokpal may get constitutional status.

The congress is planning to give constitutional status to lokpal. It appears good as it will vanish all the constitutional related flaws in the bill , but as per Team Anna and BJP this will make the bill's implementation late.

As per our Constitution if there is a 'want' of amendment in the constitution then there is a need  a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in favour of amendment.Team Anna and BJP are saying that this can't be achieved  as UPA does not have majority in either house: in the Rajya Sabha, it does not even have a simple majority.
But the flip side of this argument, Congress sources point out, is that surely the Opposition parties, who have put the government on the mat on the issue of corruption, would like to make the proposed law as strong as possible and cannot afford, therefore, to oppose giving the Lokpal constitutional status.


It appears to be idea of Rahul Gandhi which he introduced in August in a speech in Parliament. In his speech in August, “We speak of a statutory Lokpal but our discussions cease at the point of its accountability to the people and the risk that it might itself become corrupt. Madam Speaker, why not elevate the debate and fortify the Lokpal by making it a constitutional body accountable to Parliament like the Election Commission of India?”

The two former CJIs (whose draft is presented before standing commitee) explained that the proposed amendment could be passed in a single day. When members pointed out that the states would have to ratify the amendment, the retired CJIs reportedly explained that the proposed amendment would not need ratification of the states.

Editor's view:  Well its not a bad thing to give this bill a constitutional status but it appears to be a bad Idea when there is a risk of rejection of this amendment. We really need a middle way out
source http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2535276.ece

Lokpal Bill by winter session of Parliament: Khurshid

REPORTER pradip kumar maitra(hindustan times)
Union law and judiciary minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday asserted that the Lokpal Bill would be tabled in the ensuing winter session of the Parliament for debate and consideration.When asked about Anna Hazare’s call for renewed agitation and his proposed move to campaign against the Congress in states going to elections, the union minister said he had no idea why Hazare was doing all that. "The government is keeping its word given to Anna when he broke the fast -- that the Lok Pal Bill be re-drafted. The standing committee is holding deliberations to make the Bill a comprehensive piece of legislation. His two other demands of Lokayuktas for each state and Citizen’s charter are also under consideration,” he said.


Commenting on Hazare’s demand for right to recall(ie a right where citizens has right to reject their existing political representative), Khurshid said it was as impractical as holding elections all over the country on one day.  “Conducting free and fair elections takes too much time and effort, the recall facility would only complicate the matters”, he opined. On the Gandhian crusader’s campaign against the Congress in the ensuing state elections, he quipped, “Anna should leave politics to us. He should better concentrate more on social issues.”


According to him, it’s unfair to blame the Congress for the delay of 42 years in enactment of Lok Pal Bill. No other party gave it priority. Even the movement started by socialist icon Jai Prakash Narayan was silent on Lok Pal. “So it was only a matter of fixing priorities and the Congress-led UPA gave more importance to RTI Act, food security bill and now the communal violence Bill," explained Khurshid.
He said by December the government would bring a slew of legislations including Bill on transparency in public procurements, citizens charter, electoral reforms, protection to whistleblowers, strengthening the CVC --all this will change the public perception against the UPA government and make governance more effective.


Answering a question, the union minister said that the right to information (RTI) Act that the government brought in to enhance transparency was now becoming a hurdle in its working. "We have no regrets to have brought in the RTI Act. But then too much of RTI work is hitting the working of government department. It is slowing down the development work. Time has come to have a clean discussion on its pros and cons. There is no question of retreating. We all have to think how we can make it more effective and hassle-free,” he said denying that he or the government has reservations against the RTI provisions.


Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/Lokpal-Bill-by-winter-session-of-Parliament-Khurshid/Article1-754953.aspx

ANALYSIS on "Do not vote for Congress" appeal of Anna Hazare

Background information: "I appeal to the people of Hisar not to vote for the Congress party and their candidate should be defeated as the party is not committed to passing the Jan Lokpal Bill," Anna Hazare said in a video message posted on You Tube
"Most of the parties, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), replied to me affirming their support but I have not received any communication from the Congress," he said. Hazare said he would call off his anti-Congress campaign if the party commits to passing the Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session of parliament.


ANALYSIS:  Hazare  is demanding the defeat of congress and maybe he is right in demanding so as congress is hesitating in passing the bill. BUT to which extent this demand is not prejudiced? He is also saying that BJP supports bill and will provide help. So this way it appears that he is supporting one party through his statement and opposing other. It also suggest that Anna is corrupt, which is of course not true. So what is happening here ? The thing happening here is black and white politics. In this politics the majority party is always in black color ie always shows unfair acts and gains hatred on the other hand opposition party always intend to be white and true.This black and white colors rises and falls from one party as it looses or win majority. So problem is not with Anna to support BJP but with lack of multicolored politics ie the politics where there are more choices and personalities other than that of only evil and virgin!