Panel allays fears on making Lok Pal constitutional body

The Parliamentary Committee dealing with the Lok Pal Bill today allayed fears that making it a consitutional body would delay its passage and maintained that the process can be completed in a single day.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel and Law and Justice, which tabled its report in both Houses of Parliament today, said apprehensions regarding delay in granting constitutional status to the institution of Lok Pal are "misplaced" as the amendment bill in this regard would be much shorter than the statutory Bill.

"It can be passed on the same day and at the same time as the latter though by a different majority," Committee chaiperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

The report states that it is "inconceivable that while parties are in favour of the institution of Lok Pal in principle, as a statutory body, parties would not agree with equal alacrity for the passage of a constitutional amendment Bill".

Singhvi further said the proposed amendment bill to grant constitutional status will not have more than seven paragraphs.

He was hopeful that the Cabinet would clear the Bill and place the amended version before Parliament for its passage.

"Intentions are very clear that this Bill has to be brought in this session of Parliament," Singhvi said, adding there were nine more days in the Winter Session to pass the legislation.

Anna Hazare has threatened to go on another fast if the Bill is not passed in this session thus setting a deadline for the government.