BJP makes clear won't pass Lokpal without amendments/Recent Lokpal-Bill-Oppn-Trinamool-firm-govt-may-not-muster-numbers

BJP makes clear won't pass Lokpal without amendments/Recent
Lokpal-Bill-Oppn-Trinamool-firm-govt-may-not-muster-numbers(I HOPE AND WISH... TO AVOID ANNAJI'S TEAMS ONE MORE "BHOOK HARTAL" AND AAM JANTA ON ROAD ONCE AGAIN...PLZ FULLFILL YOUR PROMISES TODAY.LETS ADD AND DECIDE AUTONOMY OF LOKAYUKTA'S SEPRATELY.AS MANY STATES HAS THEIR INDEPENDENT LOKAYUKTA'S ACTIVE WITHOUT ANY CENTRAL INTERFERENCE.SO RIGHT NOW MUST EMPHASISE ON LOKPAL AND PASS IT.COUNTRY NEED TO BEGIN NEWYEAR WITH HOPE AND YOUR ALL PROMISES FULFILLED.PLZ,DO THE AMENDMENTS,CORRECTIONS,ADDITIONS,WEEDOUT INCORRECTS,...ETC. MAKE AN EFFECTIVE LAW AND AUTONOMOUS BODY.BUT FULLFILL TO DO IN THIS SESSION!!PLZ DO EXTRA EFFORT,INVEST EXTRA TIME.BUT DO IT.WE NEED LAW TO REGULATE ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIONS!!IT WAITED FOR LAST 40YRS...!!INEFFECTIVE BILL WILL AGAIN CREATE A STIR.WE NEED AN EFFECTIVE BILL OR NO BILL.NO TOOTHLESS BILL PLZ.THEIR SHOULD BE A CLAUSE THAT NO INNOCENT SHOULD GET VICTIMISED AND GOT FACE PAINTED BLACK UNNECCESSARY(JHUUTHI SHIKAYAAT)...ON CORRUPTION,BRIBE,SCAM OR BLACKMONEY ISSUE...AS THESE ALL CAN BE NIGHTMERISH FOR ANY PERSON AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS...WHO'RE FULL OF INTEGRITY,HONESTY AND SELF-PRIDE!!...ITS MY SUGGESTIONS.LETS SEE IF MY WORDS HAS ANY EFFECT OR IMPACT OR NOT??...ITS MY TEST NOW.

RGDS...VT)


New Delhi The Opposition today slammed the Lokpal Bill saying it would lead to “constitutional havoc” as the Centre would be encouraged to “usurp” rights of states through the provision of setting up of Lokayuktas.

Initiating the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley criticised the government on the minority quota in the Lokpal bench, the inclusion of NGOs and for keeping CBI out of the purview of the ombudsman.

“If you are creating history, let us not create bad history. We will be leaving a lot of task for the next generation to do,” he said.

He made it clear the BJP would not support the bill in its present form. “Please accept amendments that colleagues have moved,” he said.

Going clause by clause in the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, Jaitley said the ombudsman was “designed to be vulnerable to constitutional challenge. Let us create an institution which is constitutionally possible”.

Referring to the provision on the setting up of Lokayuktas in the state, the BJP leader and noted lawyer said it would lead to creating “a grey area” by which the Centre can usurp powers of the states. “Why are you creating a constitutional havoc? The government is trying to make constitutional cocktail,” he said.

Jaitley said the government wants to subvert an institution even before its creation. “You want to kill it in the womb,” he alleged.

“You wanted to create a phoney Lokpal, and create a smokescreen that you are giving it constitutional status,” he said taking a jibe at the proposal that was included at the instance of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Jaitley said his party objected to three “absurd and unworkable” provisions of the bill.

With regard to CBI, Jaitely wanted it to be under the purview of Lokpal with a directorate of prosecution. “An effective Lokpal needs an effective investigating agency like the CBI. You are creating a Lokpal so that it becomes a rudderless institution,” he charged.

He also opposed the inclusion of NGOs and trusts within the purview of Lokpal, saying it was “revenge provision” and would create a system which would be intrusive in the private life.

“I don't think members of this House will support you on this,” the BJP leader said.

On the provision for quota of “at least” 50 per cent for minorities in the 9-member Lokpal bench, he said it was designed to make the law “vulnerable to constitutional challenge”, as somebody could move court.

The government has majority in the 5-member panel that would appoint the Lokpal. And then the power to remove is vested with the Supreme Court, which can be approached only by the government.

“If Lokpal is biased in favour of the government, the beneficiary of the bias will decide if an appeal can be filed against the appointment,” he said.

Jaitley said his party was for a strong and independent Lokpal but opposed a “weak and phoney” anti-graft ombudsman.

Contending the government has brought a weak Lokpal, Jaitley said the House should pass a Lokpal Bill only after accepting the amendments brought by the Opposition for strengthening the institution.

“While passing this law, we have to decide if we will collide with history or write new history,” he said.

“I regret to say this is a half-hearted legislation,” he said adding the legal architecture was not enough to fight corruption.

Jaitley said Lokpal institution has been weakened by the government keeping firm control over investigating agencies like CBI.

“You wanted to make it a toy and then say it has constitutional status,” he said, adding his party was for constitutional status for the Lokpal if the bill does not attack rights of the state.

“There is no contradiction between fighting corruption and the federal system,” he said.

Jaitley also challenged UPA allies if they are willing to strike for a strong Lokpal. “...if they are only willing to proclaim or are they willing to strike,” he said.