Sibal learns a lesson the hard-way; shuns civil society role

New Delhi, Jun 27: After the stand off by the government representatives and Anna Hazare's civil society representatives, the UPA government seem to have learnt a lesson the hard way. They will now do away with the inclusive approach and have decided not to hear out the civil society's view in this regard.

The matter was conveyed clearly by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal who was one of the vocal and key members of the LokPal Bill drafting committee. After no consensus was achieved by both parties during the meeting, the next event to look forward to is the all-party meeting on the proposed LokPal Bill scheduled to be held on July 3. He added that the draft will undergo changes after due consultations with political parties and other members of the civil society.

Speaking to agencies, Sibal commented, “I don't say it is a precedent. In the given situation, the government was in, it is a decision that we took with open eyes and I don't consider it to be a precedent... the government was in a particular situation." He was responding to queries on if agitation and fasts are the easy way to be part of the law-making process.

He added that the present turn of events was a one-off event. He also stressed that the government's draft of the Bill prepared by five minister's was in no way final and “will go through changes when we get inputs not just from other political parties but also other members of civil society."

OneIndia News