Stronger version of Lokpal bill will be in Cabinet today

NEW DELHI: On Thursday, the government prepares to bring Lokpal bill to the cabinet, anti-corruption activists pitched for a strong version of the law to set up a lokpal, saying the government draft to be discussed was ineffective.

According to the government sources, the Cabinet would have an opportunity to examine the civil society viewpoint of the ombudsman’s powers and jurisdiction. Their viewpoint would be reflected in the cabinet papers circulated ahead of the meeting but would not have the backing of the ministerial panel that finalised the draft.

A drafting committee constituted by the government had constituted having ministers and members of NGO ‘India Against Corruption’ to finalise lokpal bill but they failed to reach a consensus. After that, the ministers finalized a draft lokpal bill for the Cabinet’s consideration.

Inclusion of the PM, higher judiciary and civil servants in ambit of the proposed lokpal has been demanded by the team Anna, on which the ministers did not agree.

Social activist Anna Hazare said, “In its present form, the government’s version of the lokpal bill is too weak and ineffective”. Anna who was also a member of the drafting committee, said, “It has a very narrow jurisdiction.”