BJP slams govt over its intension on Lokpal bill, govt says to table in this session

The major opposition party of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) Thursday slammed government for its sluggishness over passing the effective lokpal bill and asked to act it on a priority basis.

Attacking on government BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that government did not pass Lokpal bill in Rajya Sabha in last session as it had excused that there are more than 200 amendments to it.

"The intention of the government is not clear on the issue of Lokpal. We have been saying that this was evident from the manner in which the government made an attempt to kill the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha on lame excuses that there are more than 200 amendments," said Naqvi.

"And now, they are talking about the Select Committee. I feel that the Select Committee is about to give its report and the government should take a step ahead in the formulation of the Lokpal Bill on a priority basis," he added.

Naqvi further said the anti-graft bill should be debated in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

"The Lokpal Bill should also be discussed in this session and a strong Lokpal Bill should be formulated, " he said, while reacting to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's comments on the Lokpal Bill.

Bansal earlier today said the Lokpal Bill will be tabled during the Monsoon Session of Parliament if the select committee 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 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 been claiming that his movement is for the common man, is expected to put forward various issues during his agitation including an independent status for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and early passage of the Lokpal Bill.

--With IANS Inputs--