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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Is it the end of the road for the Lokpal panel? by Rupashree Nanda

Is it the end of the road for the Lokpal panel? by Rupashree Nanda

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published Published on Jun 2, 2011   modified Modified on Jun 2, 2011

Is it the end of the road for the Lokpal panel? Talks between the government and social activists could be headed for a collapse after they disagreed on all key issues – Anna Hazare's team has threatened a walkout if the prime minister is exempted from the bills ambit.

Fearing a repeat of the Anna movement, the government is trying to persuade Baba Ramdev to call off his hunger strike that starts this Saturday.

The UPA government is also opposing scrutiny of the Higher Judiciary and acts of MPs inside Parliament - which came under the scanner - after the cash-for-votes scandal.

"We discussed at length on the issues on which there was divergence," said Kapil Sibal.

Activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who is part of the draft panel, spoke to our editor-in-Chief- Rajdeep Sardesai. He said he was disappointed with the government’s stand on critical issues.

"I think it would be fair to say that because today for the first time, some of these critical though somewhat contentious issues were discussed and we found the government’s attitude disappointing to say the least because on most of the critical issues, their stand and their attitude was quite negative,” said Prashant Bhushan said.

At a crucial meeting of the JDC on the Jan Lokpal Bill, irreconcilable differences emerged on fundamental issues. For a draft bill that was high on hope and ambition, this meeting was almost an anti-climax, heading towards a deadlock.

"We disagree that both prime minister and higher judiciary be out of the Lokpal. In the government's own bill, the PM is under the purview of the Lokpal," said Prashant Bhushan.

"Everything has to be within the ambit of the constitution," said Kapil Sibal.

Anna's men want Lokpal should be empowered to probe the Prime Minister and Higher Judiciary, the group of ministers say no, preferring self-regulation instead.

Lokpal should be empowered to probe misconduct of members of Parliament within the house, group of ministers says no to investigate conduct within the house.

Lokpal wants power to probe all bureaucracy, but government is in favour of including higher bureaucracy only.

Lokpal wants investigative wings of the CBI, the CVC to be merged with it, the group of ministers say no.

Anna Hazare's men are pointing out that self-regulation has not clearly worked. Santosh Hegde said that if the government has its way, highest and lowest ranking officers will be left out.

"If the government sticks to this position, we will walk out," said Arvind Kejriwal.

With the group of ministers stating unanimously and unambiguously their position, Anna's men also made it clear that non-inclusion of these offices are non-negotiable. For now the joint drafting committee has decided to write to the state governments for its opinion. The June 30 deadline is unlikely to be met, not just that talks could be heading for a stalemate.

IBN, 31 May, 2011, http://ibnlive.in.com/news/is-it-the-end-of-the-road-for-the-lokpal-panel/155525-3.html


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