Day-long discussion on Lok Pal in LS tomorrow

Amid a demand for bringing a resolution on the Lok Pal issue in the Parliament, the Lok Sabha will have a day-long discussion on the subject tomorrow after a statement by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The decision to have a day-long discussion was reached at by the government after a series of consultations that saw BJP's draft motion on the Lok Pal issue not finding favour with several parties including some regional outfits.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that at a meeting of party leaders several parties found BJP's motion under 184 that entails voting would divide the House and therefore almost everyone rejected parts of it.

government sources alleged that the BJP's draft motion was prepared by Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembles for the day tomorrow, Mukherjee, who is also Leader of the House, will make a statement on the issues relating to setting up of a Lok Pal.

The discussion takes place on a day when when Anna Hazare's fast would have entered its 12th day. Team Anna has made it clear that he would call off his past, the moment Parliament passes a resolution containing three of demands or at least table the Jan Lok Pal Bill.

Hazare's aide Prashant Bhushan, a lawyer himself, said the resolution approving the three demands of civil society--lower bureaucracy to be brought in the ambit of Lok Pal, creation of Lok Pal in all the states through a legislation and approval of citizens charter--has to be brought by the government formally.

Asked about possibilities of bringing forward a resolution, Bansal merely said that it was always possible and cited rule 342 of Parliamentary proceedures.