New Delhi:
Amid demands made by Team Anna that the government should pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament by Tuesday (August 30), the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Personnel has said that such demands were implausible.
"If we, at the Standing Committee, complete the entire process of consultations, analysis and arrive at a decision by August 30, will you not make fun of us? You will accuse us of not applying our minds," committee Chairman and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
Former Law Minister and co-chairman of the drafting committee on Lokpal, Shanti Bhushan, had raised the bar today by saying there is no reason why the government can't table the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament on Tuesday.
"It can happen. I have been a Union Law Minister and I know how things happen in government," said Mr Bhushan, adding, "If the government feels that some small changes need to be made to the Bill, then even those should be made only after taking permission and support from Anna. If they are willing to give that assurance, then it will show a respect for public sentiment and it is possible that Anna may agree to it."
(Read: Table Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament on Tuesday: Team Anna)
Mr Singhvi, however, said no such assurances could be given. "No time limit can be accurately specified except that the reference to us initially is for three months," he said.
The Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Personnel is overseen by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and headed by a Rajya Sabha member, in this case Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Mr Singhvi, a senior advocate, steered clear of any reaction over the demands in connection with the Lokpal bill.
"I do not wish to comment on views of others. All I can say it that this multi-party committee resembling a mini-Parliament will assiduously look into every aspect with a completely open mind," he said.
The process includes invitation of diverse views in writing, examination of witness evidence and detailed confidential deliberations, he said.
Mr Hazare has set August 30 as the deadline for Parliament to pass the bill.
Soon after the bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 4, the Rajya Sabha Chairman had referred it to the committee and given it three months to give recommendations.
The committee has sought public opinion and suggestions on the Lokpal Bill, giving people 15 days to send their feedback.