PM not included in Parliament panel's Lok Pal Bill draft

The Parliamentary Standing Committee going into the Lok Pal Bill has recommended keeping out judiciary and MPs' conduct in House out of its purview and rejected the demand for hiving off the prosecution wing of CBI to come under its jurisdiction.

Members have unanimously recommended conferring constitutional status on the Lok Pal and setting up of Lok Pal and Lokayuktas in states under one legislation.

The draft report on the Bill, which has been circulated to members and would come up for finalisation on November 30, favours Lok Pal's jurisdiction over corporates, media and NGOs in so far as receipt of donations from public within the country or from foreign sources.

However, even the draft document has not taken a position on inclusion of Prime Minister in the ambit of Lok Pal. The issue will be considered in the Wednesday meeting.

Various options, including inclusion of Prime Minister with safeguards and coverage after demitting office, have been suggested.

Another of Team Anna's demand for inclusion of entire bureaucracy has been turned down with the draft report only favouring inclusion of Group B, along with Group A officials and leaving out the entire C and D staff.