New Delhi, Nov 30: The Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal Bill was today sharply divided with members from BJP and the Left demanding inclusion of the Prime Minister within its ambit while those from Congress favoured coverage of the Prime Minister after he demits office.
There are some members, including those from smaller groups like BSP, SP and AIADMK who opposed the inclusion of the Prime Minister within the ambit of Lokpal.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Personnel and Law and Justice Abhishek Singhvi said after the meeting that the report has been “adopted” by the committee but opposition members contested this saying it cannot be considered as adopted till the time their dissent notes are submitted.
With today's meeting, the Committee concluded its deliberations on the Lokpal Bill that was referred to it in August during the last session of Parliament that saw Anna Hazare calling off his fast at the Ramlila Maidan.
During over 15 sittings lasting 40 hours, the Committee deliberated on various issues including bringing the office of the Prime Minister under Lokpal, citizens' charter, public grievances mechanism and inclusion of the entire bureaucracy under its ambit.
Members from BJP wanted inclusion of the Prime Minister with some safeguards and citizens' charter to be a part of the Lokpal institution.
They also demanded the inclusion of the entire bureaucracy under the ambit of the ombudsman. Congress members strongly opposed inclusion of the incumbent Prime Minister saying he could be covered after he demits office.
Samajwadi Party's main demand was to make the citizen's charter to be a part of the Lokpal.
Singhvi said the report to be tabled in Parliament will reflect dissent notes of members who have divergent views on “some” issues.
Members from CPI-M and AIADMK are also learnt to have differed on various aspects of the Bill.
In the 30-member Committee, there are nine members from Congress, one each from Trinamool Congress, RJD and LJP. BJP has seven members while CPI-M, AIADMK and SP have one member each.
BJD and BSP also have one member each in the Committee which also has two Independents and as many nominated members.
RSP and SDF also have one member each.
