Ready to pass Lokpal bill without debate: BJP
New Delhi – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday said it was ready to pass the Lokpal bill without debate if it was presented as it was after the select committee’s changes. But it questioned the government’s seriousness in passing the anti-corruption legislation.
“We don’t want any more discussions on the Lokpal bill, pass it in Rajya Sabha, and then in Lok Sabha,” said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley.
He also demanded that the bill should come as it was after being am! ended by the select committee of the Rajya Sabha.
“Cabinet has no! right to amend the bill, it is a property of Rajya Sabha. The bill should come as it was amended by the select committee,” he said.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said earlier Thursday that the government has considered 13 amendments made by the select committee.
Jaitley however said that the committee had made 15 recommendations and the two being left out were crucial and important.
“One of the amendments being left out is related to the autonomy of CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). It says that Lokpal approval will be needed to transfer a CBI official probing any case,” he said.
“Second is pertaining to giving a hearing before filing a complaint against anyone. Government says a notice should be sent before a complaint will be filed,” he added.
His Lok Sabha counterpart Sushma Swaraj meanwhile claimed that the government is not serious about the Lokpal bill, saying Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath called her to discuss e! nding the session sine die next week.
She slammed the government for not being willing to get the bills passed.
“The parliamentary affairs minister called me and consulted if the parliament can be adjourned next week after completing financial business by Friday. I opposed it,” she said.
Sushma Swaraj added that she urged the minister to pass the Lokpal bill in this session as it was the last functional session of this government.
The Lokpal bill is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha Monday.
