Lokpal Bill drafting put on fast track
NEW DELHI: Prickly issues like the inclusion of the PMO or the judiciary within the ambit of the Jan Lokpal Bill were left out in favour of a broader discussion on the proposed legislation by the joint drafting committee on Monday.
These and other controversial issues could come up in the May 7 meeting.
The joint drafting committee met for the first time after a slew of corruption charges had rocked civil society members and father-son lawyer duo of Shanti and Prashant Bhushan. However, sources said that these controversies were not discussed.
Civil society representatives submitted two documents to the government outlining "principles and objects" for the proposed law. HRD minister and government representative on the committee Kapil Sibal said, "The civil society members on the joint drafting committee presented a document with respect to the objects of the bill as well as a document that enunciated the general principles underlying the bill.''
The committee has agreed to meet on May 7, 23 and 30 to discuss the bill. The committee may meet on a daily basis next month to complete drafting the bill by June 30. This will help the government introduce the bill in the monsoon session.
Sibal said, "The talks were very good. The civil society members and we will think about the proposals given by both sides and discuss them in our next meeting. But today's meeting was very good, very cooperative. There was no difference of opinion.''
Prashant Bhushan said the focus of Monday's meeting was the basic principles behind the Lokpal Bill. "The discussion was on essential features, objects and reasons of the bill, which has been prepared according to the main provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption," Bhushan said. The documents also highlight the need to set up an effective anti-corruption mechanism so that the faith of the people in the system remains intact, sources said.
Sources said civil society members impressed upon the government members in the panel that India as a signatory to the UN convention is bound to establish an effective system to tackle corruption.
These and other controversial issues could come up in the May 7 meeting.
The joint drafting committee met for the first time after a slew of corruption charges had rocked civil society members and father-son lawyer duo of Shanti and Prashant Bhushan. However, sources said that these controversies were not discussed.
Civil society representatives submitted two documents to the government outlining "principles and objects" for the proposed law. HRD minister and government representative on the committee Kapil Sibal said, "The civil society members on the joint drafting committee presented a document with respect to the objects of the bill as well as a document that enunciated the general principles underlying the bill.''
The committee has agreed to meet on May 7, 23 and 30 to discuss the bill. The committee may meet on a daily basis next month to complete drafting the bill by June 30. This will help the government introduce the bill in the monsoon session.
Sibal said, "The talks were very good. The civil society members and we will think about the proposals given by both sides and discuss them in our next meeting. But today's meeting was very good, very cooperative. There was no difference of opinion.''
Prashant Bhushan said the focus of Monday's meeting was the basic principles behind the Lokpal Bill. "The discussion was on essential features, objects and reasons of the bill, which has been prepared according to the main provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption," Bhushan said. The documents also highlight the need to set up an effective anti-corruption mechanism so that the faith of the people in the system remains intact, sources said.
Sources said civil society members impressed upon the government members in the panel that India as a signatory to the UN convention is bound to establish an effective system to tackle corruption.
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