A decision on whether to bring PM under its purview will be decided by Cabinet
The government was ready with the Lokpal Bill and it would be placed before the Cabinet for approval next week, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told journalists on Friday.
“The Bill is ready and the Cabinet will take it up next week… a decision on whether to bring the Prime Minister under its purview will be decided by the Cabinet,” Mr. Sibal said.
Mr. Sibal, however, pointed out that the draft Bill prepared by the committee, comprising five Union Ministers, was against bringing Prime Minister under the Lokpal. It was for the Cabinet to take a final decision on it. The government was committed to tabling the draft Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament next month.
Mr. Sibal said, “As promised by the UPA government, we are committed to curbing corruption… Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made a promise to the nation on the Lokpal Bill and the government will deliver on that promise. We hope that the Bill will be passed by Parliament unanimously as the government has incorporated suggestions and addressed concerns raised by the Opposition parties.”
Referring to the draft Bill prepared by civil society activists led by social activist Anna Hazare that has recommended bringing Prime Minister within the ambit of the Lokpal, Mr. Sibal said, “some suggestions were given during the all-party meeting on the issue….when the matter comes up before the Cabinet, the government will decide.”
Asked what type of case the Lokpal would investigate, Mr. Sibal said the Bill had provisions whereby any matter not being investigated by an agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation could be taken by the Lokpal.
Referring to the objections being raised by civil society members, he said when the Bill went to the Standing Committee, they could submit their suggestions and views before Parliament.
“The Lokpal Bill is coming… we all want that a strong legislation should come in Parliament so that all these corruption issues being raised are handed over to the Lokpal,” Mr. Sibal said. He hoped that all parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party would support it.
Keywords: Lokpal Bill, anti-corruption movement, Team Anna, UPA government
Totally agree with what Nambiar said. Sibal and Co still think that people of India are fools and the politicians can twist any matter to their own whims. What a shameless acts and plans. It is now high time people of India should understand the insights of every word these politicians and if they refuse to budge then millions of people should be on the roads protesting against the wrong moves by the politicians. If people in a country like Egypt can do it, I am sure Indians are more sensible and having better way of peaceful protests. After all India is a country where Mahatma Gandhi was born. We have the track records of peaceful protests against atrocities, only difference is , then it was against outsiders, now it will be against Traitors within. Come on India , this is the time when people's own strength can change their life .
Without the knowledge of the public and without any public debate , the same Congress Govt has amended the constitution clauses more than once and whenever necessary to protect their political brethren . Let them say 'NO'.Then we can accept Sibals argument that constitution is the Bible for the Govt .The civil society must challenge the Govt on this basis .
Minister Sibal says that the draft Lokpal Bill presented to the Cabinet for considertion seeks to empower the Lokpal 'to investigate any matter not being investigated by an agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation'. If anybody wants to know the meaning of the phrase 'too clever by half', this is it. Mr.Sibal should know that the people of this country are not so dumb as not to understand the purport of this statement of his. The purport is that the government can prevent the Lokpal from looking into any case by just asking the CBI to look into it.
I completely agree with Nambiar. After all who is this kabil sibal to uphold Constitution, he is another selfish ruthless politician running after his needs. Firsta all he should understand that Constitution is to serve people. If a constitution does not serve people, then whats the use of it? Per birth right, every body has a say on constitution. If not, Constitution is imposed on him, which is morally incorrect. It was written 70 years ago.Its obvious an old software will be attacked by virus. An antivirus should fix the virus. Similarly, Nobody should be imposed by constitution which favors corrupts. Constitution gives voting power to illiterate whose vote can be purchased. Amend the constitution or PEOPLE don't buy it.
If the Govts draft version still excludes PM and MPs conduct in the Parliament , there is only ONE WAY forward for the people of India -protest enmass on the streets starting AUG 16TH . Every concerned Indian must participate . The corruption minesfield exposure by the Lokayukta in Karnataka over past few days, implicating every political party , makes it all the more imperative that we have a strong LOKPAL bill .The UPAs intentions are clear in the draft presented by them- that the system must continue to protect the corrupt Govt servants . Let the Govts representative understand the Govt has not been installed by any DIVINE INTERVENTION - they are the servants of the people and must heed the voice of the people .
The constitution has been amended in the past and can be amended agan in the future , if its for the good of the country , like for a strong LOKPAL bill. If somebody is claiming immunity on the pretext of the provisions contained in the Constitution of India, let the same Govt rep come forward and make a public statement that "the Constitution has never been tampered with by the Govt till date and never will be."
The Lokpal Bill must include PM, higher judiciary, MPs conduct in the Parliament as they have violated the sanctity of the house. All are equal before law. Then why some body is claiming immunity on the pretext of the provisions contained in the Constitution of India.
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