Govt to bring Lokpal Bill in Monsoon Session

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said that the Government will bring Lokpal Bill in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, and assured that the new anti-corruption legislation will be examined and passed at the earliest.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi with Union ministers Kapil Sibal and PK Bansal, the Home Minister said that he was confident that the Central Government can take the process forward and bring the bill as soon as possible.

But Sibal added a caveat saying that the Government has only said that the Lokpal Bill will be introduced in the Monsoon Session.

"We did not say that we will not pass it in this session," said Sibal, who was a member of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee.

Chidambaram said that the bill that will be presented before Parliament will satisfy a vast majority of people and added that Anna Hazare is unlikely to sit on a fast from August 16.

Sibal also said that many political leaders raised the question on the definition of civil society and if they represent the entire country.

Chidambaram also thanked all the political parties for giving constructive suggestions at the all-party meet in New Delhi on Sunday.

Claiming that the Government was happy with the outcome of all-party meeting on

Lokpal Bill, Chidambaram said that some of the leaders at the meeting pointed out that they would give their views on Lokpal only after going through the government draft.

The Home Minister claimed that all the parties emphasised that whatever laws are made must be within the Constitution. He added that there is no need to rewrite the Constitution.