Government seeks support on Lokpal, opposition for changes

New Delhi, Dec 26 (IANS) With parliament set to debate the Lokpal bill from Tuesday, the government Monday appealed to members to join in passing the anti-graft legislation, even as opposition parties said they will move amendments on key points of contention.

Ahead of the debate in the Lok Sabha, the government said it was aware of some sticking points, including those raised by Anna Hazare, but asserted the final shape of the legislation would be decided by parliament.

With numbers crucial for the passage of the bill, the Congress issued a whip to its members to be present during the debate and requested its United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies to issue similar directives to their members.

But there appeared a clear lack of consensus on provisions relating to investigative powers of Lokpal, bringing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under its purview, and setting up of Lokayuktas in states.

Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) signalled their intention to move amendments on contentious issues.

The government will need support of parties outside the UPA in its plans to give the anti-corruption ombudsman a constitutional status.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the government will seek simultaneous discussion on the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011, and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to give the anti-corruption ombudsman a constitutional status.

He said the whistleblowers’ bill too will be discussed along with the Lokpal bill.

‘I appeal to all members to join in passing the legislation,’ Bansal said.

Seeking cross-party support, Bansal said law-making was a dynamic process and changes can be made in the legislation subsequently.

The winter session has been extended Dec 27-29 to enable the two houses to pass the Lokpal bill.

Congress sources said party leaders were in touch with alliance partners to mobilise support for the three bills. They said that the stance of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), who support the UPA from outside, will be crucial.

The Congress will also need support of opposition parties to be able to achieve its goal of giving constitutional status to Lokpal, an idea supported by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the government was aware of some sticking points.

‘We know there are few points but it is for parliament to decide what will be the final shape of the legislation,’ Mukherjee told reporters here.

‘We have brought the legislation for the consideration of the house. Let’s see. I cannot make any premature comment what will happen, how the members of parliament will respond to various provisions of the bill,’ he added.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat said most of Team Anna’s suggestions have been accommodated in the bill.

Hazare’s three-day fast in Mumbai for a strong Lokpal will coincide with the debate in parliament on the issue. He has also given a call for ‘jail bharo’ (fill the jails) from Dec 30.

Meanwhile, the BJP has expressed objections to provision on reservation for minorities in the bill. The party is also keen on investigative powers for the Lokpal and functional independence of the CBI.

Party leaders said provisions relating to Lokayukta will impinge on powers of states which have already enacted such legislations.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat said the party would move amendments to the ‘weak’ and ‘deeply flawed’ bill.

‘We are asking for a full independent investigative agency under the total jurisdiction of the Lokpal,’ she said.

Party MP Sitaram Yechury referred to the protest by Team Anna and said the bill finally passed by parliament should be respected.