The Lokpal Bill moved a step closer to enactment into law after it was passed in the Rajya Sabha today following a more than five-hour-long debate that took place in an atmosphere of rare political consensus.
The Bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha again on Wednesday, the government announced soon after its ally, the Samajwadi Party backed down on its threat to block the bill at any cost.
In Maharashtra, anti-corruption crusader and social activist Anna Hazare welcomed the news of the passing of the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha, but said he would end his fast only after the bill is passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Hazare thanked all political parties for ensuring the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the passing of Lokpal Bill by the Rajya Sabha was a historic step.
The government has agreed to incorporate a key amendment demanded by the opposition BJP, which allows searches or raids by the CBI or police on an officer accused of corruption without notice.
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The proposed anti-graft law provides for a Lokpal or national ombudsman to investigate corruption charges against public functionaries.
Earlier, Law and Justice Minister Kapil Sibal had urged all parties to rise above politics and pass the "historic Bill".
The BJP's Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition, backed the proposed law, but added that it was important to have state level authorities, or Lokayuktas.
Hazare had said corruption would be reduced by half if the Bill is passed and made into law.
The Congress Party expressed its gratitude to Hazare for appreciating the party's efforts in the passage of the Lokpal Bill.
Congress leader Ajay Maken said: "Anna Hazareji has appreciated the commitment of Rahul Gandhiji on this issue. We welcome Anna Hazareji's appreciation and Congress party thanks Anna Hazare for appreciating Rahul Gandhiji for his commitment to fight against corruption and to bring in transparency into the functioning of government," said Maken.
On December 14, Rahul Gandhi had urged all the political parties to support government's Lokpal Bill in their fight against corruption.
However, remaining firm on his decision, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, Ramgopal Yadav said he would not support the bill.
"It is an irony that we can trust the ombudsman in the proposed ombudsman bill but not the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will be interrogated by an officer, which is at a similar position as that of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The result of this would be that any officer or minister would be scared to sign on a file related to correct decisions. If such a situation arises in the country then it will be dangerous for the nation. That is why we had opposed the bill and are still opposing it," said Yadav.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesman Prakash Javadekar had said: "We want Lokpal to be passed. I think (the) Congress does not want that to happen smoothly. Let's see today; we have our parliamentary party meeting after that we will speak to you."
The Lok Sabha had passed the Lokpal Bill in 2011 to create a Central Lokayukta.
Transparency's landmark 2005 study of corruption in India found that as many as 62 percent of all citizens have had first-hand experience in paying bribes or using influence peddling to get jobs done in public offices.