The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured social activist Anna Hazare that his government is not only committed to create an effective Lokpal but also working on a comprehensive agenda to eradicate corruption and improve governance.

Responding to a letter from Mr. Hazare, the Prime Minister said several legal, executive and technical aspects will be included in it. The Prime Minister said that his government is also considering several recommendations concerning electoral reforms.

The Prime Minister said Anna Hazare's demand for 'Right to Reject' provision in electoral law needs political consensus.

Dr Singh said that he is in agreement with Mr. Hazare to empower the village council and maintained that his government is committed to implement later in separate the relevant constitutional provisions.

In a related development, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid said that Government intends to make the Lokpal a powerful Constitutional authority.

He said in New Delhi that a Constitutional amendment bill is to be introduced for this purpose in the Winter session of Parliament starting next month. He expressed hope that the Lokpal legislation will be adopted in the same session.

The Law Minister said the proposal was to have a 11-member body, at least 50 per cent of whom would have judicial background, such as former judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.