Lok Pal Bill to be placed in next Cabinet meet

The government today said the Lok Pal Bill was ready and would be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval in its next meeting where a decision on whether to put the Prime Minister in its purview would be also be taken.

"The Lok Pal Bill is now ready and it will be moved to the Cabinet. It will be placed before the Cabinet in the next meeting. As promised by UPA-II, by this government, we shall introduce this Bill as soon as possible in the Monsoon session of Parliament," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.

He maintained that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made a promise to the nation on the Lok Pal Bill and the government would deliver on that promise.

Asked if the Prime Minister would come within the ambit of the Lok Pal as demanded by some political parties and civil society activists led by Anna Hazare, Sibal said, "Some suggestions were given during the all-party meeting. When the matter comes up before the Cabinet, the government will decide."

He, however, clarified that the five ministers, including him, in the Joint Drafting Committee were still of the opinion that the Prime Minister should be kept out of the purview of the Lok Pal.

Sibal stated that the Lok Pal Bill had provisions whereby any matter not being investigated by any agency like the CBI can go to the Lok Pal.

"The Lok Pal 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 Lok Pal. BJP also wants this and we too want it," he said.

Asked about suggestions made by the civil society members in the Jan Lok Pal Bill, Sibal said some points had been accepted and some rejected by the government.