Bringing the office of Prime Minister under the ambit of Lok Pal would "not be advisable", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today.
Singh, who had earlier stated that he was not against the office of the Prime Minister being brought under the Lok Pal's purview, told reporters that the government has taken the decision after "taking all factors into account".
"Well, our government has taken a view taking all factors into account. It would not be advisable to bring the Prime Minister within the purview of the Lok Pal, except when he demits office," Singh said on the eve of Parliament's Monsoon Session. The Lok Pal Bill would be introduced in Lok Sabha by August 3.
On Anna Hazare's threat to go on a fast from August 16 to protest a "weak" Lok Pal Bill, Singh said the Lok Pal Bill's fate would be decided by the Parliament.
"As you know, we are ready with the Lok Pal Bill. Lok Pal Bill's fate will be decided by Parliament. In a democracy, Parliament is a sovereign body, it should be allowed to function and discharge its duty," he said.
At the July 28 Cabinet meeting which cleated the Lok Pal Bill, Singh had insisted that his office should be brought within the ambit of the legislation, but the Cabinet decided otherwise.
His comments came a day after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said bringing the Prime Minister under the Lok Pal would result in "institutionalised permanent instability" at the Centre.
