The Centre will introduce the Lokpal Bill in Parliament during the monsoon session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday.
“The government intends to introduce the Lokpal bill in Parliament during the monsoon session. The fact that civil society and the government have joined hands to evolve consensus to move this historic legislation augurs well for our democracy,” he said in a statement after social activist Anna Hazare ended his fast.
(The monsoon session normally starts in July).
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He said the scourge of corruption was affecting the nation. “I hope that the process of preparing this legislation will move forward in a constructive mode so that after consultation with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, the legislation is placed before the Cabinet for introduction during the monsoon session.”
After Mr. Hazare began his fast on Tuesday, Dr. Singh deputed Human Resource Development and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal to hold talks with the social activist. Dr. Singh held discussions with UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and his senior Cabinet colleagues before accepting Mr. Hazare's demands for a stronger Lokpal Bill.