• Debate has been lively
• Various points have been covered
• Government has not  moved in undue haste
• For last six months, we are debating this issue inside the House
• Country is agitating and debating this issue outside the House
• They are the decision-makers, not suggestion-givers
  
• Nothing wrong in dialogue with civil society but I also don't agree when they say it should be only their view
• Contradictory positions taken by political parties
• Received mandate from all-party meeting
• Not under duress, not under threat.  We wanted to have effective strong anti-corruption legislation in form of Lokpal Bill
• Political parties have been taking contradictory stand
• Nothing has come from magician's hat. Everything was discussed.
• Received mandate at all-party meeting. Quota was also brought up.
• Govt draft based on day-long discussion in Parliament
• But again it is called sarkari Lokpal.  Because of five members in selection panel - who will include PM and Speaker
• We talk of sovereignty of House, but then we raise questions about this. 
  
• When majority of MPs (273) will decide, PM will have to go.
• Who appoints Election Commissioner? Who appoints CAG? To assume if they are appointees of executive, they will not be independent -this line of argument cannot be accepted.
• To introduce Lokayuktas, unnecessary debate has been created. 
  
• On August 27, we agreed on this through Sense of the House
• You say federal structure will be compromised. But we are going to bring amendment to provide that without consent of state government, it will not be enacted.
• 40 years we have waited. I did not expect Yashwant Sinha to say this (PM) is a farewell speech. Why are you in a hurry? Why don't you wait for two years more? PM is not giving farewell speech.
  
• PM has introduced new direction in parliamentary democracy. He suggested engaging with civil society.
• Nobody may accept my point of view. But till my death, I will believe that disruption is not the way to function in Parliament.
• Important legislation has not been discussed. Had to wait for 7-8 days to make statement on inflation.
• Please don't interrupt.
• I know I have differences, sometimes I have problems with my allies. Please do not teach me. This is the nature of a coalition government.
• Armed forces will be exempt from Lokpal.
• Legislation must be done on the floor of the House, not on the street.
• This Lokpal Bill may not be best, but it is good. 
  
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• The government should pay attention to critical points. The autonomy of the CBI should be considered
• One of the danger of the discussion is that the nation now believes that the Lokpal will solve all problems, which is not possible

• For 41 years, Lokpal is being tried to be introduced in Parliament; the bill is a disappointment to us.
• We want a strong credible and effective Lokpal bill. We have seen the reverse.

• Corruption is indeed an evil. We feel that more than corruption, we are targeted as the intellectual dishonesty.
• Why hasn't there been any provision for the minority? Section 24, brings in the Speaker. Any doubt on the Speaker is an insult to the entire Parliament.
• Minorities should be given their due share in the Lokpal. This is a thing of the past. The Muslims will not work as clerks. I cannot agree to the Lokayukta and the Lokpal anymore. It's a joke now.

• We fought the freedom struggle in 1947 and there can be only one Father of the Nation. I have a whole lot of respect for the PM. But I want to tell him, in August when one consensus was given, the letter that was given to Anna Hazare with the three conditions accepted, I feel the PM should have been stubborn on those factors.
• The Lokpal Bill would've been passed today
• I want to tell him, that this is no forum to joke. I would've told Lalu Yadav also not to joke around, especially against Anna Hazare.

• Statesman like speech by PM, not farewell speech
• Lokpal an idea whose time has come
• Most bureaucrats are capable and honest but in India, honest bureaucrats will be terrified by prospects of too draconian a bill
• We must not create a situation in which bureaucrats are compelled to do nothing
• We will only know to what extent we have avoided the dangers by the actual working on the bill
• We have heard nit-picks and legal sophistry, as the PM said... but we have not heard substance.
• We have today the real thing.

• Before entering politics, I thought the toughest exam is IAS exam
• I have won some elections, lost others, and feel winning a Lok Sabha election is the toughest feat.
• We are available at all times to our constituencies, answerable always to voters
• Those who think winning an election is easy, or sitting in the Lok Sabha is easy... they do not know what it means to really be a member of this House
• But we must also ponder over why we are now in this position.
• There has never been as intense or urgent a call for a Lokpal.  We should introspect over this.
• Narayanasamy was aggressive. Kapil Sibal was even more aggressive. 
• The way the PM listed his government's achievements seemed like an exit speech. 
• The government wants to shove this bill down our throats.  Why?
• You have deliberately created a weak and helpless Lokpal
• I was surprised that when we talked of federal structure, the PM referred to it as "legally sophistry." 
• You introduce a quota, and then you say let the court decide this.
• I have never heard of this - we will make a deliberate mistake and then let court decide. 
• What this government has put us through with its scandals -that is why an old man is on a fast in Mumbai
• The honest PM heads  the most corrupt government India has ever had.  This is why people are restless and desperate for change
• Prevention of Corruption Act covers everyone from peon to PM; so does Indian Penal Code
• These two laws are what the Lokpal will enforce, isn't it?
• Not one minister from Atalji's government is in any jail
• Minority reservation - you have introduced this, you know it will not stick.
• Morally bankrupt government has brought a broke-pal Bill.
  

• Govt has ensured Lokpal doesn't see light of day
• Lokpal Bill toothless, send it back to House panel
• Govt's move has fuelled Anna Hazare's agitation

• We are here today to debate this Lokpal Bill and nation has heard speeches by many politicians
• PM also made a political speech aimed at elections
• I want a tough law to fight corruption,  nobody is against this
• Anna is in Mumbai  We are all very concerned about his health. We  want to form an all-India committee for his health.
• At the drop of a hat, there is an agitation.
• This is what we are reducing the country to
• You (PM) bring strong Lokpal, we will make you the Lokpal (PM seen smiling)
• We had heard Draupadi had five husbands. Now, CBI will have nine husbands?
• Send this Bill back to standing committee
• You have created this problem by entertaining those (Team Anna) who will never be satisfied
• Take back this bail, it is a noose around our necks

• PM has asked for consensus but provoked controversy
• It is unfortunate that he (PM)  used this platform to deliver a progress report keeping in mind elections coming soon in states. He should have played according to the rules of the game.
• I support a Lokpal Bill but not this Bill
• Too much importance is being given to (Anna) protest
• This is a notional beginning, a token beginning  
• The beginning should have been effective
• I agree fight against corruption is a prolonged battle
• At this time, corruption is all-pervasive in this country
• It is not about one person going on a hunger strike
• For the first time in our history, a member of government is in Tihar Jail
• This bill is nothing more than a cosmetic operation playing to the gallery
• Govt lacks political will in launching crusade against corruption
• Liberalization without safeguard has opened the door for massive corruption in the country
• Let us discuss Bill without being over-charged by what is happening in Mumbai
• Let govt answer why corporates and private sector have been left out? They are the ones who bribe ministers, politicians and bureaucrats.  They fund election campaign, pay for helicopters. Corporates evade tax and generate black money.
• They have been left out because it's a political decision least you (govT0 are affected in poll campaign.
• Independence of CBI has to be protected.  If you are not angry, I can tell you (I am not angry, replies Meira Kumar)

• Corruption cannot be eradicated just by enacting a law.
• We are saying that the CBI should be independent. But I feel the question is one of making it stronger, of improving the agency's conviction rate. We should think of creating an independent cadre of officers for CBI.
• Nobody else has the kind of accountability that politicians and MPs have in public life. It is not just during the elections, it is whenever we interact with our constituents. If we have to bring in the Lokpal, it is necessary to make it accountable too.
• The Lokpal will be overburdened if Group C and D employees are also brought under it.

• UPA ally Trinamool Congress has opposed Lokayukta provision in the Lokpal Bill
• Trinamool is against provision that disallows states to make their own law

• The nation awaits with bated breath how the collective wisdom will be reflected
• Task of legislation is very serious business and must eventually be performed by all of us who have been constitutionally assigned to do this
• Others can persuade and have their voices heard but decision must rest with us
• We have seen how public anger has manifested itself in the last year
• We have held a  wide range of consultations
• We have been enriched by wisdom of political parties and by all shades of opinions that have been taken into account
• We believe in transparent open governance
• We have been working in last year on landmark and unprecedented pieces of legislation (like Charter's Bill)
• We have given landmark bill to fight corruption
• Our  laws must be all-pervasive if we are genuine in our endeavour
• Corruption is corruption, whether in Union or in states
• Federalism can't be an impediment in the war against corruption
• Ask leaders to rise above partisan politics
• CBI  should function without government interference but no individual or organization should be free from accountability

Supriya Sule, NCP:

• Totally disillusioned and disappointed with negativism that has come about
• Government has shown complete commitment to making India corruption-free
• Agree with Shiv Sena, don't want my PM to be accountable to anybody. I am very proud of the leader of our country
• Lokpal may not be solution to all our problems but it is a step in the right direction
• It is a healthy baby but don't make it obese by giving it more work than it can cope with
• We are totally for the federal system

• Removing corruption is a major problem
• When Rajiv Gandhi was the PM, we discussed what kind of Lokpal should be brought in
• We discussed three issues and wanted suggestions from Parliament
• There are lokayuktas in the states - one of the strongest being in Karnataka. But there is no Lokpal at the Centre. We need it
• There is no state today that will not agree on getting a strong Lokpal
• Today, the bill that we are discussing has a whole lot of loopholes
• For years, there has been a debate whether the PM should be included under the Lokpal ambit. We want the government should agree to it
• What is the genesis of corruption in this country? It is the indifferent attitude of the government
• In the bill presented in August, the PM was not included under the Lokpal's ambit. After a lot of struggle, he was included but with a lot of restrictions
• With the current bill, we do not expect a strong Lokpal

• People say that we have no faith in this organisation (Lokayukta)
• But a day will come when we will need to rethink about the Lokpal
• For the past seven years, no action was taken against the people who were accused and committed crime
• It should not seem like the government did no work in this period
• Please leave the making of the Lokayukta to the states and preserve their rights

• Country is sick with a disease called bhrashtachaar (corruption)
• Repeatedly, there are references to the fact that for 40 years, Lokpal Bill has not been introduced.
• VP Singh, Indira Gandhi, Atal Behari Vajpayee could not bring it
• We have brought it in Bihar
• We spoke to the people leading the agitation (Team Anna). We consulted other parties
• You think the country won't understand how you are trying to trick it with regard to imposing the law upon states?
• People are angry with inflation, poverty and corruption. Politicians and bureaucrats are being blamed for corruption.  They are also responsible for progress.  Development has not reached villages.  But whatever progress has been made, they must get credit for that too

• The CBI has always been misused and our chief minister has been targeted, not just by this government but by earlier ones too. The agency should be made independent
• Attempts are being made to weaken the federal structure enshrined in the Constitution. The matter of Lokayukta should be left to individual states
• The BSP wants a strong Lokpal but what the government has brought in is very weak

• Sarkar ko gussa kyun aata hai (why does government become angry)
• Lok Sabha represents wishes of people
• Loktantra (democracy) is bigger than Lokpal
• The bill disappoints on many fronts, Lokpal Bill won't end corruption
• The charges being flung now at the CBI will also apply to the Lokpal because of what your bill creates
• This bill suits you (government), not the people
• Lokpal majoboot nahin hai, nahin hai, nahin hai (Lokpal is not strong)
• This is completely a sarkari (government) bill
  
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• If you do not let this bill pass, the nation will never forgive you.  I respect Sushma ji, and when she lectures, I listen carefully.  But today, she spoke almost as a lawyer.  I compliment her for this. I will respond to her point by point
• What we are discussing today- this has something to do with "Bhrashtachaar.  Bhrashtachaar" (corruption)
• So this particular legislation has nothing to do with state public services, it has everything to do with corruption.  That is why it is not an attack on federal principles
• Kapil to Sushma: Please let me speak
• BJP is using technicalities. They want Lokpal to cover us (UPA) at Centre and not have a Lokayukta to hold them accountable in states
• If you look at states, there is no big step that has been taken to fight corruption
• States will have to create Lokayukta, there is no doubt about this.  Maybe Sushma-ji, you have not read the whole bill, na.  That is why you are not understanding it.
• Sushma-ji is ignoring corruption in Karnataka.  BJP blames Centre for corruption, ignores it in their states
• Neither the BJP or Sushma- ji have the answers.  The reality is they breed corruption in their homes, and blame it on others.
• Let me tell you - if you oppose the Lokpal model for states- you are violating the Sense of the House and for this also, the country will not forgive you
• Their strategy is to work with Anna, go to states and say the government doesn't want a tough Lokpal Bill, this is their strategy for the elections.
• Is the Lokpal a government job?
• 16 crore minorities cannot find a place or representation on the Lokpal - this is what the BJP says.  Minorities must have representation - this is justice.
• The country is watching you more carefully than us. Because we have brought the Lokpal Bill.  Rest is upto you.  If you don't pass it, Sushma-ji, you will find yourself in a lot of trouble.  The road to power is always under construction.  For you, it was under construction in 2004; then in 2009; it will continue to be under construction in 2014
• Should Lokpal alone have all the powers? We have carefully put in lots of checks and balances.   We will not let anyone or any provision violate the constitution.
• Sibal sips water
• Do CAG, Election Commission etc all favour us? Are we able to influence them? 
• You said we have too many safeguards for an inquiry against the PM.  Like in-camera proceedings.  Many parties didn't want the PM to be covered by the Lokpal at all.  But we respected the views of the opposition, so we agreed to this.  At the all-party meeting, you said bring the PM under the Lokpal with conditions.   You fire indiscriminately. So then our riders have to be bullet-proof, isn't it?   If you look at this side of the house (UPA), you get what you see.  If you look at the other side of the house, you never get what you see. 
• CBI has functional autonomy and it is on this basis that it is prosecuting cases.  Bill ensures independence of appointment of the Director of CBI.   We want autonomous independent CBI investigations.  When you sit in opposition, you attack CBI, when you are in power, you defend it.  
• Country wants this bill passed asap
• You (BJP) are a fabulous auditor.  Your motive is to destroy not to construct.  You have not given one constructive suggestion.  BJP has always said let the bill come to Parliament, then we will discuss it.  Do not let the country down, support the Lokpal Bill and have a Lokayukta in your state

• Narayanasamy has placed three bills for debate
• It appears the government is placing this bill in a fit of rage
• Ministers normally introduce bills very calmly and ask for support
• But the minister seems ready for battle
• This bill violates "Sense of House" we agreed on in August
• Federal structure of constitution is being violated
• Lokpal meant to handle corruption complaints at Centre, and Lokayukta will do similar jobs at state
• States have rights to make their own laws
• Centre wants to make the Lokpal model option for states, but the bill you have brought makes it mandatory
• Bill is meant to provide enabling framework but government now says we make it mandatory because states like Gujarat have failed to create effective Lokayuktas. You (government) are contradicting yourself. So why don't you first decide what you want? Is it mandatory or optional?
• 18 states have Lokayuktas. Many of them have better bills than the ones you have brought.  Like Uttarakhand. Your bill will over-ride those.  Better ones like the bill that Karnataka passed long ago.
• Minority quota:  In a Lokpal of nine members, five seats have been reserved. Reservation in constitutional bodies is not allowed
• Sushma seen sipping water
• Proud that three presidents and current PM are from minority sections
• But what you are proposing today is not healthy for our country.  Reservation on the basis of religion is not correct.  Don't try to divide the country 
• Lalu bhai, they got you to raise reservation and agreed to you.  But they carved out a sub-quota of 4.5% for minorities from a 27% existing quota. You have been had, Lalu-ji
• Lalu to Sushma: It is you who want to divide the country
• Government is acting as if this bill is a nuisance and they just want to get it over with.
• Pranab-ji, Advani-ji are all so well-versed in parliamentary processes.  I also know a little something about this.  How with all of us sitting here are you asking us to accept an unconstitutional bill? 
• We wanted CBI to be freed from government control.  But this bill does the opposite.  All power lies with the government
• Inquiry against PM comes with too many safeguards.  Proceedings against him will be in-camera and cannot be accessed through RTI. Are you increasing transparency or checking it?
• In last three months, CBI said no need to investigate Chidambaram (in 2G scam)
• CBI for transfers and budget will have to bow before the government, accept its directions
• CBI's prosecution and investigating wings need to be separated, with the latter handed over to Lokpal.  This way, the government's hold over the CBI ends.  And the Lokpal gets its own investigating agency. 
• Government told us Group C and D employees are too many  - 47 lakhs - to be covered by Lokpal  
• We had agreed that Citizen's Charter would be part of this Lokpal Bill.  What happened?
• Lokpal does not even have the power to select its own secretary
• Government is acting as if it just wants to be able to tell the nationwide agitation that look, we have brought a bill 
  
• Either you correct this bill, or I say with folded hands, please take it back and send it again to the Standing Committee.  Let there be a detailed discussion there and bring it back in three months.