Lokpal Bill before Cabinet next week

Asserting that the issue of putting the Prime Minister under Lokpal was still open,he said the decision would be left to the Cabinet despite a ministerial team that was part of the joint drafting committee on Lokpal recommending against it.

“Some suggestions were given during the all-party meeting. When the matter comes up before the Cabinet next week,the government will decide,” Sibal told reporters.

Responding to Anna Hazare’s demand that their version of the Bill be placed before Parliament,Sibal said: “There is no provision for an individual to bring a Bill. If Anna Hazare wants to say something,he can go to the Standing Committee later,” Sibal said.

He also chose to make light of the “referendum” being conducted by civil society in his constituency,saying that it was neither a referendum nor a survey.

V Narayansamy,the Minister of State for Personnel,Public Grievances and Pensions,which is the nodal authority handing the Lokpal Bill,said the government would keep its promise to introduce the legislation in the Monsoon Session.

“The Lokpal Bill is coming and we all want that a strong legislation should come in Parliament so that all these issues being raised are handed over to the Lokpal. The BJP also wants this and we too want it,” he said. The Bill will be sent to the standing committee after introduction,he said.

Answering questions on the subject,the two ministers said the Lokpal will have provisions whereby any matter not being investigated by any agency like the CBI can go to the Lokpal.