The government indicated that there is a broad consensus on major issues of the Lok Pal Bill after discussions with civil society members today in New Delhi. Briefing the media after the 8th meeting of the Joint Drafting Committee on Lokpal, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said there is agreement on about 85 per cent clauses of the bill. Describing today's meeting as a major step forward, the Minister said areas of divergence and differences will be discussed in the all party meeting to be convened by the Prime Minister next month. Mr. Sibal reiterated the government's commitment to introduce a strong Lok Pal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament. Briefing the media, noted lawyer Prashant Bhusan said, in tomorrow's meeting, the Civil Society and the Government Representatives will exchange their drafts to hammer out consensus on agreed issues. He said differences on major issues will be presented as two alternatives in a single draft to be taken up by the government at appropriate fora. In reply to a question, Mr Bhusan said, two new areas of disagreement, selection and removal process of the Lokpal, appeared in today's meeting.
News On AIR | June 20, 2011 8:50 PM
Broad consensus on draft Lok Pal Bill : Sibal