Opinion August 29, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Lokpal Bill Referred

This is the front page of The Indian Express published on August 29, 1985.

August 29, 2025 10:12 AM IST First published on: Aug 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM IST

The Lok Sabha referred the controversial Lokpal Bill to a joint select committee of the two Houses of Parliament following a sudden government decision to push the legislation. Apart from sharp disagreement between the government and the Opposition on major provisions of the bill, several members of the ruling party are also understood to have expressed their reservations about the bill in its present form. The most controversial issue was the exclusion of the Prime Minister from its purview.

Akalis boycott polls

The “United” Akali Dal of Baba Joginder Singh has decided to boycott the parliamentary and Punjab vidhan sabha elections slated for September 25. Surat Singh Khalsa, secretary of the United Akali Dal, announced this decision in a press release handed over to newsmen at a press conference held at the Akali Dal headquarters. He refused to give any indication on any unity move between the two rival Akali Dals.

Excise Duty Cut

The finance minister, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, in a surprise move, announced in Parliament a steep reduction in the excise duty on manmade fibres and yarn to promote the production and sale of blended fabrics. The retail prices of cheaper varieties of blended fabrics are expected to come down as a result by 10 to 15 per cent. The mid-year concessions are expected to cost the exchequer Rs 77 crore in the current year and Rs 131 crore in a full year.

Beirut Bombing

A suicide bomber slammed a TNT-laden car into a checkpoint in South Lebanon, killing or wounding at keast 60 people, the Arab Socialist Baath Party stated. A party communique issued in the southern city of Sidon said the attack took place near the village of Barti, about 14 kilometres from Sidon.