Affirming that there was a "lot of scope for give and take" on the Lokpal Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the government was open to "discussion and dialogue" on the issue.
Calling for a broad national consensus on the controversial issue, Singh expressed the hope that the government can enlist the cooperation of "all thinking segments of Indian public opinion to ensure that the end product is a strong and effective Lokpal which all sections of our community want".
The Prime Minister was answering questions from the media at the conclusion of the full meeting of the Planning Commission at his residence to approve the Approach Paper of the 12th Five Year Plan.