Lokpal success? Yes and no

The Lokpal bill committee’s penultimate meeting ended today with a conflicting picture as the government’s representatives claimed agreement on “80 per cent” of the points while the Anna Hazare group suggested it was just over a quarter.

“Today’s was the most successful of the panel’s meetings thus far. We achieved a lot,” said human resource development minister Kapil Sibal, adding there was consensus on 80 to 85 per cent of the 40 contentious points. He, however, admitted “complete disagreement” on several key points.

Sibal stressed the discussions took place in a “non-acrimonious atmosphere”, contrasting it with earlier meetings that had ended in rancour.

The points of divergence included those related to the power and structure of the Lokpal, Sibal said, adding these would be spelt out once the final draft was put together.

Hazare group member Arvind Kejriwal said they had disagreed over the “whole model” and claimed another key matter didn’t even figure in the meeting. “The issue of bringing the Prime Minister under the Lokpal was not discussed today.”

Kejriwal said the government had circulated an exhaustive note which detailed the areas of agreement and disagreement. He added that out of the 40 issues raised by the Hazare team, the government had agreed on 11 — around 27.5 per cent.

The panel will meet tomorrow for the last time to exchange drafts. The two sides will then email each other their critiques of the blueprints before it is sent to the cabinet by the June 30 deadline.

The government will convene an all-party meeting next month to discuss the draft bill before it is tabled in Parliament’s monsoon session. Several parties, including the BJP, have criticised the government for not consulting them and setting up the drafting committee with the Hazare group.

The Centre now wants to broadbase its consultations. “Political parties will be consulted sometime in July… I think there ultimately will be a strong Lokpal,” said Sibal.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, another Hazare group member, also described the meeting as cordial but said disagreements persisted over key issues like the composition of the committee to appoint the Lokpal and the removal procedure.

PM calls meet

Manmohan Singh has convened a meeting of UPA leaders to get their views on the Lokpal bill, especially on the question of whether Prime Ministers should be brought under its purview, according to PTI.

The ruling allies don’t agree on the issue. The Congress and NCP oppose the provision but the DMK reportedly favours it.