File photo: Pro-Lokpal Activists at Anna's rally
The anti-corruption Lokpal Bill is likely to be brought to the Rajya Sabha again next week. Sources in the government say that a major change will be made to the bill to accommodate the objections of Mamata Banerjee, who is a member of the ruling coalition, but had opposed the proposed legislation claiming that it violates the autonomy of state governments.
The Lokpal is a new national ombudsman with seven members who have the authority to investigate complaints of graft among government servants. The bill has so far asked states to create Lokayuktas -state versions of the national agency. This is unacceptable to Ms Banerjee, the BJP and most other parties who say the bill should provide only a framework for states to create Lokayuktas. An order to do so, they say, is against the principles of federalism. Activist Anna Hazare and his aides who campaigned hard last year for the Lokpal bill say that unless it covers states, it will not be effective. In August, when Anna held an 12-day fast as part of his campaign, all MPs agreed in a resolution to consider his demands for the legislation - these included the creation of Lokyuktas.
Activist Anna Hazare and his aides who campaigned hard last year for the Lokpal bill say that unless it covers states, it will not be effective.
The extent of the Lopkpal's powers and how the cases of alleged corruption would be investigated have also created a huge debate within political parties and Team Anna.
Late last year, the Lokpal Bill was passed by the lower house or Lok Sabha. It then moved to the Rajya Sabha for consideration by the upper house. A vigorous debate followed and more than 200 amendments were moved by different parties, including Ms Banerjee's Trinamool Congress. Before a vote could be held, at midnight, the session was declared adjourned.
The opposition accused the government of ducking a vote because it knew it would lose.
Because no vote was held, the process of considering the bill in its new form will start all over again. From the Rajya Sabha, the bill will go to the Lok Sabha which will re-examine it because this is a different version than the one cleared earlier.
The government has begun consulting with different political parties to build consensus around the bill.