'Lokpal Bill will be tabled in Monsoon Session': Bansal

New Delhi, Aug. 9 (ANI): Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Thursday said the much-awaited Lokpal Bill will be tabled during the Monsoon Session of Parliament if the select panel gives its report by September 3.

Bansal also revealed that there are 118 bills pending before Parliament.

"There are 118 bills. We will put up whatever bill is ready. The Lokpal Bill will be tabled in Parliament if the Select Panel report comes by 3rd (September 3)," he said.

Bansal further said there is no procedure for the listing and non-listing of bills, adding that if the reports and other necessary procedures are not completed on time, the bills would not be tabled.

"There is no listing and non-listing. Whatever bills are ready, we put it before the Parliament. Now, there are 118 bills, which are (pending) at some, or the other stage," he said.

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev earlier today stressed on the need for a strong Lokpal Bill, and urged lawmakers to heavily debate the issue of black money and corruption on the second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Baba Ramdev, who was interacting with media in Ahmedabad prior to his arrival in New Delhi to launch his agitation against black money and corruption, said black money has been a curse plaguing the country for long.

"I urge all political parties, including the ruling Congress Party to raise the issue of black money and heavily debate it in the proceedings of the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The issue of black money has been plaguing our country for long, and once it is brought back, it can solve a lot of problems," said Baba Ramdev.

"Lawmakers should also stress on the need for a strong Lokpal Bill, and those who are not corrupt, shouldn't be scared of it," he added.

Baba Ramdev, who has emphasized that his movement is for the common man of this country, is expected to put forward various issues during his indefinite agitation such as calling for an independent status for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and demanding the passage of the Lokpal Bill. (ANI)