Govt. committed to bringing strong Lokpal Bill: PM

New Delhi - The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said the government is committed to bringing a strong and effective Lokpal Bill.

"We look forward to benefitting from the wisdom and guidance of all leaders present here in the task that we have set for ourselves. Our government stands committed to an effective Lokpal legislation," NDTV quoted a tweet from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), as saying ahead of the meeting.

The UPA Government is hoping to arrive at a consensus on issues relating to the Lokpal Bill during today's meeting, which is being attended by members of the Rajya Sabha.

Dr. Singh's decision to hold the meeting comes in the backdrop of divergent views of different political parties.
 
The UPA Government, which is under immense pressure from veteran social activist Anna Hazare, is seeking to find a consensus on issues like the demand for independence of the state Lokayuktas and the independence of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
 
Hazare had earlier accused the UPA Government of playing with the sentiments of the people by continuously changing its stand on the Lokpal Bill.
 
Hazare, 75, had last week said that he was ready for an open debate on the anti-graft bill.
 
He had also threatened the government that he would tour the country with an aim to make the people aware about the rampant corruption that is prevalent in the country.
 
The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in Winter Session of Parliament in December 2011.
 
The Rajya Sabha broke up for recess on December 29, 2011 without voting on the bill to create a Lokpal before the deadline set by Anna Hazare, who led a campaign for the measure. It could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha on the last day of the session for want of time, as there were a lot of amendments.
 
The opposition in the Rajya Sabha has asked the government to set a date for the discussion of the Bill and on  amendments related to the Bill.