Better Lokpal in the pipeline? UPA racks its brains

New Delhi, Dec 16: With the UPA government visibly cornered on the Lokpal Bill and the looming agitation proposed by Anna Hazare, the bill is likely to be brought to Parliament with amendments on Tuesday. With the all party meeting called by PM Manmohan Singh failing to reach a consensus, the government is proposing more changes to the legislation.

The Cabinet is also expected to meet on Sunday on finalising the various amendments to be made to the anti-corruption ombudsman. Discussions regarding extending the Parliament's winter session will also be discussed. The present session will end on Dec 22. The fate of the Food Security Bill will also come up for discussion. This bill was deferred after West Bengal CM raised some objections.

A four-member group will draft the new look Lokpal Bill. The group consists of Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Law and Justice Minister Salman Khursheed and Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V. Narayanasamy.

This group will review the recommendations of the parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public grievances, law and justice. They will formulate the governments response along with the recommendations on the same. A source close to the government has been quoted as saying that the UPA is keen to pass the bill as it wants to avoid the blame that it was not sincere to get the legislation go through.

OneIndia News