Govt forwards Jan Lokpal Bill to Standing Committee,waits for views

Winding up a short duration discussion on the issue of corruption,he said the government has an “open mind” on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

On the issue of inclusion of the Prime Minister under the ambit of the proposed legislation,Narayanasamy said Manmohan Singh himself was open to the idea.

Appealing to Hazare to end his nine-day-old fast,he said the Gandhian should help the government to bringing a strong and effective Lokpal Bill.

He,however,said Parliament is supreme. “Parliament and the rule of law should be upheld by the government. Effort to denigrate its prestige will not be tolerated,” he said.

Parliament was the only forum where the Lokpal Bill can be debated and passed,he said,adding that Lokpal Bill alone cannot end corruption and the government was in the process of bringing in several other legislations to tackle the problem.

Earlier,intervening in the debate Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma said though people have fundamental right to “dissent”,they cannot be allowed to “subvert” Constitution.

“Democracy should not be replaced by lynching mob,” he said,apparently referring to the agitation in front of houses of MPs and ministers by Hazare’s supporters.

The government,he said,is aware of public anger against corruption and is addressing the issue within Constitutional framework after following due process and procedures.