The Finance Minister and the leader of the Lok Sabha Mr. Pranab Mukherjee today urged the members of the lower House to have a dispassionate debate on the issues of citizen charter, setting up of Lokayukatas at state levels and bringing lower bureaucracy under the ambit of the Lokpal suggested by Anna Hazare. He said these are very important issues raised by Civil Society and deserve due consideration.Mr. Pranab Mukherjee proposed to adopt a resolution at the end of the debate. He said this may satisfy Anna Hazare brightening the prospects of breaking his fast. Mr. Mukherjee said that the adopted resolution can be sent to the Standing Committee for its consideration.He however asserted to maintain that the supremacy of Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional framework. Tracing the sequence of events since Anna Hazare had his first fast in April this year, Mr. Mukherjee again appealed him to end his fast which entered the 12th day on Saturday.He said during discussions with the political parties after the Joint Drafting Committee exchanged drafts and in the All Party Meeting early this week, it was stressed that the Parliamentary supremacy has to be kept.He said the Lokpal Bill presented in Parliament and now under consideration of the Parliamentary Standing Committee was discussed with several leaders of political parties. Mr. Mukherjee said that there were six points on which Team Anna differed with the government representatives. The House is scheduled to have a seven hour debate on the issue. This was announced by the Speaker Mrs. Meira Kumar after consulting leaders of various parties inside the House. She said the timing of the debate can be extended. Participating in the debate, leader of the Opposition Mrs. Sushma Swaraj said that it is the ninth time a discussion is taking place on the issue.
News On AIR | August 27, 2011 12:10 PM
LS begin debate on Lokpal issue