Lok Pal Bill may come in Rajya Sabha in this session

Talks are on with various parties to thrash out differences on the Lok Pal Bill amid indications that the government was open to the idea of removing the provisions regarding setting up Lokayuktyas in the states.

The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha but if it agreed to any amendments, as is the possibility, then the amended bill will have to be again brought to the lower house.

Government sources said that pending economic bills including pension, insurance and banking are unlikely to be taken up in the current session. The other key economic bills awaiting approval of Parliament are Companies Bill and Direct Taxes Code Bill.

As regards insurance issue, the union cabinet had deferred a decision on the suggestions of the Standing Committee on Finance.

Although the bill proposed to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap to 49 per cent from 26 per cent, the Committee had opined against it.

While the Companies Bill is seeking to modernise the corporate laws by replacing the Companies Act 1956, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill is aimed at encouraging private and foreign investment in the pension sector.

As far as DTC is concerned, the government has already received the report of the Standing Committee and has to take a view on the recommendations.

The Banking Bill, which has been pending for long, is aimed at enhancing the voting rights of private shareholders.