PM briefs President on Lok Pal Bill stand-off

In the midst of continued stand-off between the government and civil society activists on the proposed Lok Pal Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today met President Pratibha Patil and briefed her about the efforts being made to resolve the issue.

"The Prime Minister briefed the President about the efforts being made by the government to resolve the differences with the civil society activists on the proposed Lokpal Bill," a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.

During the 35-minute meeting, the Prime Minister and the President discussed about various issues of national and international importance and also the President's forthcoming visit to Mauritius.

The fast unto death of social activist Anna Hazare, demanding formation of a joint committee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill entered the fourth day today with differences persisting on the issue of the chairmanship of the committee being given to a civil society member and an official notification being issued.