The Government has reiterated its commitment to introduce an effective Lok Pal bill in the coming monsoon session of Parliament.
Talking to the media after a meeting of the NDA leaders, Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said that his party and allies will put forth their views on the anti-graft bill. He said, the government should first get the draft of the bill approved by the cabinet and introduce it in Parliament for wholesome debate on the issue.
The CPI (M) however accused Congress of going back its own stand of bringing the Prime Minister under Lokpal purview. It said that a parliamentary panel headed by senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee had made such a recommendation in 2001.
Party General Secretary Prakash Karat told the media that the Prime Minister should be included under the purview of the bill as his office is not immune to the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He said left parties will attend the all-party meeting and the party leader will only their views on the issue as the government has not given its own draft.
Discussions between the Union Ministers and Anna Hazare team in the joint drafting committee concluded on 18 June.
The committee held eight meetings. The two sides differed on a set of proposals concerning the jurisdiction of the proposed Lok Pal over Prime Minister, higher judiciary and acts of MP’s on the floor of the house besides the composition of the selection committee for Lok Pal.