Members differ on PM,judiciary

While both sides refused to say anything,only acknowledging that some more discussion would be required to thrash out the points of conflict,sources told The Sunday Express that apart from the issues of inclusion of the Prime Minister and the higher judiciary in the purview of the proposed institution of Lokpal,the two sides also couldnt agree on the manner of appointment of the Lokpal as well as total strength of the Lokpal.

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the meeting that more discussions were required on having state-level Lokpals as consultations would need to be held with state governments.

He said it was decided to go ahead with the drafting of the Bill on issues where there was an agreement between the representatives of the civil society and the government.

Incidentally,while the Jan Lokpal Bill,prepared by the representatives of the civil society,seeks to have one Chairperson and 10 members as Lokpal,the government doesnt favour such a large number.

Also,while the Hazare-led group wants the selection committee for appointment of Lokpal to include Prime Minister,Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha,two youngest judges of the Supreme Court,two youngest Chief Justices of High Courts,the Comptroller and Auditor General of India,the Chief Election Commissioner as well as the outgoing members and chairperson of Lokpal,the government has a different viewpoint.

However,both sides agreed that the process of appointment of Lokpal must be completely transparent. There was also broad agreement that the Lokpal must enjoy financial and administrative freedom. Some of the differences are such that can only be bridged if one sides backs down. Both sides are so far sticking to their respective stands on these issues,but these are early days yet, said a source.

The panels next meeting is on May 23.

Emerging out of the meeting,lawyer Prashant Bhushan said there was agreement on various issues like transparency in the process of appointment of the Lokpal,the autonomy of the ombudsman and financial independence for such an office. He also said while there was an agreement that the selection process of Lokpal should be broadbased and transparent,the issue of selection committee is a matter of detail which will be decided later. There was also an agreement on search committee to help the selection committee, he added.

The members of the Joint Drafting Committee also agreed that the Lokpal will not require permission from the government to either investigate or initiate prosecution against anyone.

RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal,who is a member of the drafting panel,said only one-fourth of the Bill was discussed. The model on which financial independence will be based is yet to be decided. Various models were discussed,including from other countries and of institutions like the Supreme Court,Comptroller and Auditor General and the Central Vigilance Commission, he said.

Other panel members who attended the meeting include Home Minister P Chidambaram,Law Minister M Veerappa Moily,Water Resources Minister Salman Khursheed,former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan co-chairman,Anna Hazare and Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde.