New Delhi: As the Lokpal Bill is being debated in the Rajya Sabha, here are the highlights of what Minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, V Narayanasamy, said on the floor of the Upper House:
- For 40 years, discussions on Lokpal Bill have been held for a bill to help citizens who have many complaints.
- In April 2011, civil society organizations said Lokpal Bill should come as soon as possible
- So government tried new experiment - to get views of civil society like Anna Hazare and others. So Finance Minister and others worked with them on Lokpal Bill. Both sides deliberated on it.
- About six meetings they attended. One meeting they (activists) boycotted
- Lokpal will have chairperson and eight members
- This bill has not been brought all of a sudden. Many deliberations were held. Two meetings with political parties. They were taken into confidence.
- There was lot of demand for reservation for SC/ST, women, minorities.
- Therefore it has been incorporated in bill.
- Selection committee for Lokpal has five members. 50% reservation here also.
- On issue of PM: He represents 120 crores' population, he is face of our country when he goes abroad. So we thought PM should not be brought under ambit of Lokpal. But unfortunately, there was demand for this from some circles. PM also said he should be brought under ambit of Lokpal. So he is covered with five exclusions for matters like national security, atomic energy and space.
- Complaints against PM were to be sanctioned by ¾ majority of Lokpal, but now it has been changed to 2/3 majority. (Seen sipping water)
- Legislation-making process of Parliament: This issue has been debated and deliberated. This is the Sense of the House. That Lokayukta be included in the bill.
- Credit for Lokpal Bill goes to UPA
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