New Delhi:
As it steps on the gas to introduce the Lokpal Bill in Parliament as soon as possible - maybe even tomorrow - the government has a new blueprint for the relationship between the CBI and the Lokpal or the nine-member ombudsman that the bill will deliver. This will be part of a note being readied for approval at a Cabinet meeting likely to be held tonight.
Sources say the government will suggest that the Lokpal be given its own inquiry wing to handle cases of corruption among government servants. It is envisaged that this wing will have police officers to examine complaints made by the public. All detailed investigations, however, will be referred by the Lokpal to the CBI.
This means the CBI shall not report to the Lokpal. The government has not been in favour of making the Lokpal the CBI's new boss. Activist Anna Hazare, who has championed the need for the Lokpal Bill, has been equally clear that without an investigation wing, the ombudsman will serve as nothing more than a "post office," passing on complaints of corruption that it receives to other bodies.
Senior ministers like P Chidambaram, Salman Khurshid and V Narayanasamy met at North Block this afternoon to give final shape to a note on the Lokpal Bill that is being prepared by the Department of Personnel and Training along with the Law Ministry. Once the note is ready and vetted, the Union Cabinet will be convened at very short notice; Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the Cabinet meeting could be held tbetween 8 and 9 pm today. He also said this could mean the Bill could come up in Parliament as early as tomorrow.
The PM has said he'd like the Lokpal Bill passed in this session and the government's rush is aimed at ensuring that this happens by Friday, December 23. If it is unable to get the Bill passed by then, the government is considering extending the session by three days after a Christmas break next week starting December 27.
Anna, who is 74, has warned that he will begin a hunger strike followed by a "jail bharo" movement unless a Lokpal Bill that meets his standards is tabled in Parliament in this session. He said today, "This is not a good Bill. If the Government brings a strong Lokpal Bill, I might stop my fast."
Some Congressmen say that no matter what they deliver for the Lokpal, Anna will not give them credit, Senior party leader Digvijaya Singh has tweeted, "Govt of India making a serious attempt to include most of the demands in Lok Pal but Anna Team won't still be satisfied. Their agenda is Political. (sic)"
GOI making a serious attempt to include most of the demands in Lok Pal but Anna Team won't still be satisfied. Their agenda is Political.
-- digvijaya singh(@digvijaya_28) December 19, 2011
The main Opposition party, the BJP, too has said it wants the Bill passed in this session. Senior BJP leader L K Advani said he would try his best to get the bill passed in the Winter Session, but also reiterated what all parties are clear on - that the final authority over the proposed legislation rests with Parliament. "We definitely need a strong and effective Lokpal, there are no two ways about it. But the fact remains that the Lokpal Bill will be passed by Parliament only," Mr Advani told reporters.