Final Lokpal panel meet ends; differences remain
Agencies
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New Delhi, 21 June 2011: The joint drafting committee meet on lokpal bill on Tuesday ended in New Delhi amid "fresh and serious" differences between the government and Anna Hazare team. The ninth and final meeting was held at the office of finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, chairman of the drafting committee. Except for home minister P Chidambaram, who is in Jammu and Kashmir, all the other nine members attended the meeting.
"Six sticking points remain between us. Drafts were exchanged," human resource development minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the one-hour long meeting. "We agreed to disagree," he added.
Lawyer and civil society member Prashant Bhushan said the meeting was "disappointing".
Civil society members Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal said they are "deeply disappointed" by the government’s draft of the bill because it keeps the prime minister, judiciary and members of parliament out of the lokpal bill.
Ahead of the meeting, the activists said they will hand over their draft to the committee as per the decision taken in Monday’s meeting to exchange versions of both sides for further consultations.
Both the versions will be merged into one document with differences listed for a final decision to be taken by the Union Cabinet after political parties give their views on the issue.
Fresh differences were added to the already existing list of six over the constitution of selection panel and who can approach the Supreme Court for removal at the meeting yesterday.
The differences between the two sides remain on inclusion of Prime Minister within the ambit of the Bill as also the higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside the House, funding model, CBI under Lokpal and Lokayuktas in state.
"We have differences over six issues earlier. Now two more added to the list," said activist Arvind Kejriwal. Both the camps had termed yesterday’s meeting as "very cordial" but added differences remained on contentious issues.
Asked about the previous meetings of the Lokpal drafting committee, he said they had a feeling that the decisions of the government side were "pre-decided". However, he said the silver lining was that they were able to hold a country-wide discussion about Lokpal.
Sources said the civil society draft today contained contentious proposals like inclusion of Prime Minister, higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament within the ambit of the Lokpal.
It also seeks jurisdiction over the CBI and state Lokayuktas.
The civil society draft has a provision relating to the panel for selection of Lokpal and his removal in which a citizen has the right to move the Supreme Court.
| Comments on this Article | |
| Nelson, Udupi | Sat, August-27-2011, 4:08 |
| This Baptist man surfaces ones in a blue moon and flashes brillient ideas and disappears. Agreed Mr. Lobo, Very easy to preach difficult to practice. Same applies to me and everybody. Anna Hazare fasted for 11 days. Supporters beat ulta drum every 11 munits. Jai Hind. | |
| Valerian Lobo, Fair Haven, Moodubelle | Sat, August-27-2011, 1:41 |
| Dear Baptist, for your information our Constitution is Drafted by a poor dalith DR. B R Ambedcar who was through out his life critical of Congress, You ask your parents and find out what was living conditions of people at the time of Independence , There was problem for 3 basic neeeds, ie Roti, Kapda and Makan . People are living in Thached roof houses. Even farmers where not having sufficient food to eat. The Land reform act improved farmers condition to a great extent. All the recent corruption scandles comes to light because of RTI act which was brought by congress government. Despite having good Lokayukthas like Venkatchalayya and Santhosh Hegde corruption in Karnataka had not reduced. By just bringing another bill will not reduce corruption. along with the bill we all should change ourselves. As per recent survey 95 % of people surveyed either given or taken bribe. we cannot put behind bars 95 % of Indias population. If we Expect corruption free India all Indians change their ways and fight corruption (born again without corruption). Blaming others is very easy, reforming self is difficult. | |
| Baptist Sequeira, Belle | Thu, August-25-2011, 2:35 |
| Valerian Sir, what my intention to speak about Mr. fernandes is, we all know congress ruled India almost 60 years. And when the constitution is made, all the royal family and rich people came together and wrote a constitution that the poor and backward people have to only vote and elect them and people at centre make law. Good , But for the 60 years the congress’s baby "Corruption" is grown like this. Following them BJP says if they can do why can t we. Now at this juncture, have we seen a single politician took courage to come out of party and say " Yes I am with the common people to fight corruption"? (except Yeshwant Sinah). Also SIN OF OMISSION IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN SIN OF COMMISSION. And because of Mr. Manmohan Singh keeping eyes closed, Raja, Kalmadi and so on could do this. Same way when leaders when keep quite, administration team also do corruption boldly. So Fernandes could keep quite rather justifying Tiwari, who has accepted his wrong saying today. | |
| Ronald Sabi, Moodubelle | Tue, August-23-2011, 8:17 |
| Hi Baptist, Last time few youth protested against Church attack and still struggling with the cases despite of repeated assurance of couple of CMs; while attackers are upgraded and practicing full time moral policing without any fear. I think Catholic people are against corruption and supporting drive against corruption through various forums and some silently without making noise. May be they are not organizing protests in church level, which is a wise move. About the catholic priests, they are doing a fantastic job in their respective fields of spirituality, education and social services. Leave them alone! Let them not get into complication. To prevent corruption we need to think beyond Congress and BJP. Both the parties need to get into power by any means. Most of their means are corrupt. In my opinion we should stop paying bribe at village level and then taluk and district level. Annas drive will help us if not complete eradication of corruption. If the salary levels increased for policemen, Govt office clerks and railway workers, corruption may reduce at lower levels to some extent. | |
| Valerian Lobo, Moodubelle | Tue, August-23-2011, 6:15 |
| Every true and patriot Indian should support Anna Hazare s movement and at the same time should note that by mere passing a bill will not eliminate corruption. The person giving bribe is equally corrupt as a person taking bribe. let us all make resolution that hence forth we will not either give or take bribe and make India corruption free country | |
| Baptist Sequeira, Belle | Sun, August-21-2011, 7:44 |
| As I watched the Annas Kranthi in April, on the last day a priest of Delhi joined him on the stage. But where is our catholic community. Very sad to see that not even single report from our churches supporting Anna. Again we are waiting for some one has to fight for us. And when we get the kicks and ignored, then only we realize. | |
| KMPRABHAKARRAO, HYDERBAD | Fri, August-19-2011, 6:35 |
| AS PER CONSTITUTION SOME OF THE SECRETS TO BE MAINTAINED. IN SUCH CASES HOW THE PRIME MINSTER WILL COME IN GAMBIT OF LOK PAL BILL. CAN WE WIN IN THIS MOVEMENT?SUPPOSE THE BILL IS ACCEPTED BY GOVT , IS IT SRICTLY IMPLEMENTED? EVEN IN THIS PANEL IS THERE ANY GUARNTEE WITH OUT COURUPTION? | |
| Benedict Noronha, Udupi | Tue, June-21-2011, 10:46 |
| Now that the parties to the draft exercise have ened their role with differences, Anna ji must wait for the outcome of the final Bill and presentation, discussions and results. The matter will also be discussed in the All party meet. Then in Parliament the bill will be discussed and put to vote. Unless one waits and watches the behaviour of the members of Parliament in Parliament Anna Hajare cannot decide and say that he will start fast from 16th August if the bill to his satisfaction is not passed. It cannot be. It will not be ajust and right decision by amature citizen who has been respected by citizen of the Country. One has to see the final shape and the modalities of operation of the Act and effects. The clauses left out could be added by amendments even in parlaiment and the bill may not be able to be passed following the due process. so the decision or statement abuty fast cannot be and shgould not be put forth. parliament cannot be threatened by any body.hence Ann Hajare must wait and watch. Patience is Golden and hurry makes worry . Let us wait and watch. | |
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