FM seeks consensus on Lok Pal Bill from states, Oppn

Widening the scope of consultations on the Lok Pal Bill, Finance Minister and the chairman of the Lok Pal drafting committee Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday sent letters to political parties and chief ministers seeking their opinion on six contentious issues, including whether the Prime Minister should be brought under the purview of the Lok Pal.

In his letter to the political and state government chiefs, Mukherjee has also asked whether Supreme Court and high court judges and if the activities of Members of Parliament (MP) inside the House be brought under the purview of the Lok Pal.

While speaking to reporters, Home Minister P Chidambaram and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal reiterated that the Union government was committed to table the Lok Pal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament. Civil society members had recently threatened to start another round of protests.

The Finance Minister wrote that the issue of setting up of a Lok Pal to curb corruption in high offices is being considered by the Centre for some time. Mukherjee said civil society members have demanded that one single Act should provide for both the Lok Pal at the Centre and the Lokayukta in the state. He sought the opinions of the state governments on whether they would be willing to accept a draft provision for the Lokayukta along the same lines.

“The state governments and political parties have also been asked whether there should be a Lok Pal and Lokayukt and whether it should be a single or multi-member body,” said Chidambaram.

He also said potentially contentious issues were being discussed at the drafting committee meeting on Monday and constructive discussions were held between the members. The home minister said there was no consensus among the civil society, parties or experts on issues and the Union government was making attempts to reach a consensus.

Mukherjee has also asked if the Lok Pal should have powers to inquire against and dismiss or remove a civil servant or an all-India service officer or someone who holds a civil post under the Union.