Parties want strong Lokpal,differ on provisions

There was consensus that setting up of the institution of Lokpal should not undermine the established Parliamentary processes of enacting a law.

After the three-hour confabulations at the Prime Minister’s residence,a resolution was passed,saying: “The all-party meeting agreed that government should bring before the next session of Parliament a strong and effective Lokpal Bill following the established procedures.”

However,there were differences on various provisions of the bill with a number of small parties,except AIADMK,favouring inclusion of Prime Minister but not higher judiciary in the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Setting the tone for the meet,Singh said the government was committed to bringing a bill that will provide for “strong and effective way to tackle corruption in high places” but such an institution will have to work within the framework of Constitution.

He said the Lokpal will have “to add to and not detract from the legitimate role and authority of other institutions in our democratic structure.”

Underlining that the Constitution provides for an “intricate system of checks and balances”,the Prime Minister said the new institution of Lokpal has to find an appropriate place in that matrix.”

The government’s consultations with political parties came two months after it engaged with civil society led by Anna Hazare whose draft demands inclusion of Prime Minister,higher judiciary,MPs’ conduct inside Parliament in the bill.

Main Opposition BJP,which kept cards close to its chest on the contentious issues,said it has serious differences over the draft prepared by the five ministers of the joint drafting committee with regard to jurisdiction and process of selection and removal of the Lokpal.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj told the meeting that government should stick to established Parliamentary processes while bringing a strong Lokpal bill in the Monsoon session of Parliament.

“We clearly said that BJP wants a strong and effective Lokpal who is selected transparently and be able to function independently,” the BJP leader said emerging from the meeting.

She said the bill should be referred to the Parliament’s Standing Committee so that all political parties,state governments and members of civil society are able to present their views. After due consultations,the bill may be passed in the Winter Session,she said.

Swaraj and her party colleague Arun Jaitley,who is Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha,said they have serious differences over several provisions of the draft prepared by the ministers.

“We have serious differences on who should come within the purview of the Lokpal,the appointment mechanism,who is eligible to be appointed and who should initiate removal of Lokpal,among other issues,” Jaitley said.