Parliament to decide final shape of Lokpal bill: Pranab

Kolkata, Dec 26: Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday, Dec 26 said that only Parliament would decide the 'final shape' of the contentious Lokpal bill.

"It is the job of Parliament to legislate. We (government) had several rounds of discussion with him (Anna Hazare) and his team. We know their viewpoints. About nine rounds of meetings have already been held with them. Thereafter also, through interlocutors some discussions also took place with them," said the Finance Minister.

Reacting to Anna Hazare's fast for a strong and independent Lokpal bill, he said, "It is for Parliament to decide what should be the final shape of the legislation, We have brought the legislation for the consideration of the house. Let's see. I cannot make any premature comment what will happen, how the members of Parliament will respond to various provisions of the bill."

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare is set to hold his three-day fast at the MMRDA ground in Mumbai against a 'weak' Lokpal Bill from Dec 27.

Earlier, on Dec 25 Team Anna had wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and MPs seeking enactment of "real and best possible" anti-corruption law which also provides an independent investigative wing for the ombudsman.

OneIndia News