While Team Anna plans to tour the country to “awaken people” on corruption issues and the Lokpal Bill, the government said on Monday that it would try to table an amended Bill in this session of Parliament.
“After discussions with various political leaders, now six issues remain. Whatever happens will depend on discussions with the Opposition,” Minister of State for Personnel, Law and Justice V. Narayanasamy said here, adding that the Lokpal Bill was a “priority issue” for the government.
He said 197 amendments were moved in the Rajya Sabha when the Bill was tabled last year. “They have since lapsed and now there are 149 amendments which are under the consideration of the government.”
Last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened a meeting with the floor leaders of the Rajya Sabha in a bid to evolve consensus and assured them that the government would come back with an amended Bill.
Meanwhile, in an effort to control any damage from removing a member from the core committee or the controversy over his sharing the platform with yoga guru Ramdev, social activist Anna Hazare on Monday claimed there was no rift in the group.
Speaking to journalists, he said there was no difference of opinion on the conduct of the member, Mufti Shamum Kazmi, who was allegedly found recording the proceedings of the core committee meeting on Sunday.
“I am hurt. If there were any rift, we'd have been fighting. There is no fallout,” Mr. Hazare said before leaving for his village Ralegan Siddhi.
Defending his move to share the dais with Baba Ramdev when he goes on a day-long fast on June 3 against black money, Mr Hazare said: “We are not going to be touring together. But we are fighting for the same purpose of getting back black money and the Lokpal and the Lokayukta bills. We shall stand together and there is no change on that.”
