Govt hasn't done anyone favours by passing Lokpal: Kejriwal

Expressing dissatisfaction over the Lokpal Bill that was cleared by the Union Cabinet today, activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal said the government 'has not done a favour to the country' by passing the Bill and criticised it for not coming out with a 'stronger' Bill.

"We were not interested in just the word Lokpal. You can name it anything. The government has not done a favour to the people of the country. It is the government's constitutional duty to give a corruption-free regime," he said.

"Why should you have any Lokpal? If an agency is created which will not stop corruption, will lead to increased corruption and provide protection to ministers, then what is the point," he told reporters here.

Talking about issues like corruption and price rise which the country is facing, Kejriwal added, "Some people are saying they are happy that a beginning has been made, but has the government done us a favour?"

Kejriwal wants the UPA to come out with a stronger version of the law, but alleged that if it was done, "Half of the ministers of the same cabinet, which passed the bill today, will be in jail if a strong Lokpal comes".

The union cabinet Thursday approved amendments to the Lokpal Bill suggested by a select committee of the RajyaSabha. The bill, passed by the Lok Sabha, pending in the Rajya Sabha, was sent to a select committee of the upper house, which suggested several amendments to the legislation. The bill will now be voted for in the Rajya Sabha.

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