Rajya Sabha passes Lokpal Bill

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 which provides for formation of an anti-graft ombudsman. 

 

The  Lok Sabha will take up the Lokpal Bill debate on Wednesday.

 

Social activist Anna Hazare’s  supporters started celebrations at Ralegan Siddhi, where the veteran Gandhian is on fast for the Lokpal Bill. 

 

Addressing his followers, Hazare said that he has full confidence that the Bill would be passed in the Lok Sabha. He added that he would end his fast, which is in its eight day, on Wednesday and thanked the Rajya Sabha MPs.  

 

Earlier, initiating the discussion on the Bill, Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal said it was a "historic" day and it was time to celebrate the consensus that had been reached on the issue.  

   

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, while supporting the Bill, said he was happy that the government had accepted all the changes in "this changed environment".