Lokpal report tabled in Rajya Sabha amidst ruckus

New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha’s select committee report on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill was tabled amidst din in the upper house Friday.

The report was tabled as Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members created a ruckus, demanding reservation for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in job promotion.

Addressing a press conference on the bill later, Rajya Sabha select committee chief on Lokpal bill Satyavrat Chaturvedi said: “Drafting the recommendations was a difficult job because of legal issues and diversified views from different political parties.”

“There were contradictory views, but without exception, all members kept their political ambitions aside for national benefit. There was no argument while the bill was discussed by the select committee,” he said.

Among its recommendations, the select committee has suggested that the prime minister should be brought under the Lokpal’s purview, except for matters related to external affairs, internal security, atomic energy, and international relations.

The bill also provides the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to have a separate director of prosecution, who would be appointed on recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

“After discussions, 12 amendments have been accommodated in the bill. The bill will now be presented in the Rajya Sabha as amended by the select committee,” Chaturvedi said.

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha at the end of the winter session last year. It was sent to the select committee in the budget session after several objections were raised on its present form.

The select committee also suggests delinking of state Lokayuktas from the Lokpal bill, giving only “direction” to states.

IANS 2012-11-23 15:42:06