All-party-meet called by Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh to get a consensus on the Lok Pal Bill has started today at his residence. The PM has assured that the government is committed to the Lok Pal. The Parliament will not meet today due to festivals like Gudi Padwa and Ugadi.
The Bill has received lot of opposition, Trinamool Congress wants the deletion of Lokayukta provision in states, another UPA ally the DMK wants the states should be left to decide on the issue. The BJP had accused the government of not being sincere on the entire Lok Pal issue.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in the Winter Session last year, but had failed to get consensus in the Rajya Sabha. The Upper House broke for recess without votong on the Bill to create a Lok Pal.
The government is keen on passing the Lok Pal Bill in the Rajya Sabha even as the Opposition and social activist Anna Hazare have renewed pressure on the issue. He has threatened that he would again go on hunger strike on March 25 if the Union government doesn’t pass the Lok Pal in this session of the Parliament.
Details to follow...