NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament on Saturday passed a resolution conveying the sense of the House on the Lokpal Bill, paving the way forAnna Hazare to break his fast.
On a motion moved by Pranab Mukherjee, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed a resolution conveying the sense of the House on the Lokpal Bill.
After the passage of the resolution, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the Lok Sabha till Monday.
There was some confusion over whether the resolution was passed by a voice vote or not. Apparently, no voice vote took place.
"Thumping of the desk is akin to passing a motion by voice vote," Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar told Times Now.
After the passage of the Lokpal resolution in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha also passed the resolution.
Team Anna welcomes the passage of the Lokpal resolution, Kiran Bedi said.
Some of the important points of the Lokpal resolution passed by Parliament are:
*An effective Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states be set up.
*Employees of centre and state governments to be brought under purview of Lokpal and Lokayuktas respectively.
*All government departments to have citizen's charter with timeline.
With a copy of Lokpal resolution and a letter from PM Manmohan Singh, Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh would now go to Ramlila Maidan to meet Anna Hazare.
Earlier, the team Anna said they have received a communication from the government that a resolution carrying their demands on Lokpal Bill will be put to a voice vote, a move which they termed as a "very happy" development.
Fresh trouble emerged this afternoon after government decided only to convey sense of House to Team Anna and not put the resolution for voting, the activists hardened their position saying it was "betrayal" and only a resolution which will be put to vote will be acceptable.
This forced the government to change its stand. The activist's camp said they have received the communication from the government about its decision to put the resolution to voice vote.
The 74-year-old Gandhian has been on fast for the last 12 days, demanding the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill by Parliament.
Showing posts with label lokpal bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lokpal bill. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 August 2011
'Govt agrees to a voice vote on Lokpal debate in Parliament'
NEW DELHI: There will be a voice vote on a resolution after debate on the Lokpal issue in Parliament, Times Now reported. There will be no division on the voice vote.
Team Anna aide Arvind Kejriwal said that they are happy with the government's decision to have a voice on the Lokpal debate.
Once the resolution is passed, Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, along with a letter from PM Manmohan Singh, would go to meet Anna Hazare.
The government is working on a draft of a resolution to be adopted by both houses of Parliament on Saturday in a bid to break the logjam on the Lokpal issue so that Anna Hazare could end his 12-day-old fast.
Hectic discussions within government and between government and opposition parties were on to finalise the resolution that could be taken up at the end of the discussion in both the Houses for adoption.
Finance minister and leader of the house in the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee had a meeting with BJP leader and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and is understood to have discussed the contents of the resolution.
Mukherjee also met senior ministerial colleagues including law minister Salman Khurshid and parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Bansal. He is also expected to have consultation with government allies and leaders of other parties.
The finance minister is also expected to meet Team Anna members, including Prashant Bhushan, Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal.
Sources said the resolution is expected to make a reference to three issues raked up by Anna Hazare -- coverage of entire lower bureaucracy under Lokpal, passage of a bill on creation of Lokayuktas in states and citizens charter for redressal of grievances.
The resolution would recommend that these issues be considered by the standing committee before which already the official bill introduced by the government and the Jan Lokpal bill have been referred for in-depth consideration.
Hazare had demanded that the Parliament should accept the three key demands of the civil society for him to end the fast.
Team Anna aide Arvind Kejriwal said that they are happy with the government's decision to have a voice on the Lokpal debate.
Once the resolution is passed, Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, along with a letter from PM Manmohan Singh, would go to meet Anna Hazare.
The government is working on a draft of a resolution to be adopted by both houses of Parliament on Saturday in a bid to break the logjam on the Lokpal issue so that Anna Hazare could end his 12-day-old fast.
Hectic discussions within government and between government and opposition parties were on to finalise the resolution that could be taken up at the end of the discussion in both the Houses for adoption.
Finance minister and leader of the house in the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee had a meeting with BJP leader and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and is understood to have discussed the contents of the resolution.
Mukherjee also met senior ministerial colleagues including law minister Salman Khurshid and parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Bansal. He is also expected to have consultation with government allies and leaders of other parties.
The finance minister is also expected to meet Team Anna members, including Prashant Bhushan, Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal.
Sources said the resolution is expected to make a reference to three issues raked up by Anna Hazare -- coverage of entire lower bureaucracy under Lokpal, passage of a bill on creation of Lokayuktas in states and citizens charter for redressal of grievances.
The resolution would recommend that these issues be considered by the standing committee before which already the official bill introduced by the government and the Jan Lokpal bill have been referred for in-depth consideration.
Hazare had demanded that the Parliament should accept the three key demands of the civil society for him to end the fast.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Lok Sabha to sit on Saturday, likely to discuss Lokpal Bill
NEW DELHI: The government on Friday announced that the Lok Sabha will function on Saturday, indicating that the discussion on different versions of the Lokpal bill will finally be held.
"The Lok Sabha will sit on Saturday (Aug 27) in connection with transaction of essential items of government business," a statement from the Lok Sabha secretariat said.
The announcement comes after the government's decision to have a debate on various versions of the anti-graft Lokpal bill in the house.
"If the debate is under rule 193, if all agree, it can be adopted as a resolution," parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.
The debate was supposed to be held Friday but opposition MPs, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), protested that they were informed about the debate at a short notice and they didn't get the time to prepare.
"We were informed at 2.15 p.m. that the discussion will start at 2.30 p.m. We have already given notices in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for the discussion under rules that entail voting," BJP's Sushma Swaraj told reporters.
The discussion has assumed urgency as Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal bill will enter its 12th day on Saturday.
"The Lok Sabha will sit on Saturday (Aug 27) in connection with transaction of essential items of government business," a statement from the Lok Sabha secretariat said.
The announcement comes after the government's decision to have a debate on various versions of the anti-graft Lokpal bill in the house.
"If the debate is under rule 193, if all agree, it can be adopted as a resolution," parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.
The debate was supposed to be held Friday but opposition MPs, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), protested that they were informed about the debate at a short notice and they didn't get the time to prepare.
"We were informed at 2.15 p.m. that the discussion will start at 2.30 p.m. We have already given notices in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for the discussion under rules that entail voting," BJP's Sushma Swaraj told reporters.
The discussion has assumed urgency as Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal bill will enter its 12th day on Saturday.
Anna writes to PM, says will end fast after Parliament passes resolution
NEW DELHI: Fasting Gandhian Anna Hazare has written yet another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
In his letter, Anna Hazare has promised to end his fast if the Parliament passed a resolution on three issues highlighted by him that would help lessen the sufferrings of the common man against corruption.
The three issues are appointment of Lokayuktas in state, preparation of citizens' charter by each government department and inclusion of lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal.
Anna Hazare hoped that no political representative would have problem supporting the three issues as it concerned the common man.
However, he made it clear that his agitation against corruption will continue till all the demands of the Jan Lokpal Bill were met.
Thanking the Prime Minister and the Parliament for their praise of the Jan Lokpal movement on Thursday, Anna Hazare said like the government he was also working to end corruption.
Striking a conciliatory note, he said he is ready to express regrets if anyone from his team had hurt the PM or any other leader with their remarks.
Stating that he was not fighting for any personal gains, Anna urged the PM that he should not hesitate in changing laws to end corruption.
In his letter, Anna Hazare has promised to end his fast if the Parliament passed a resolution on three issues highlighted by him that would help lessen the sufferrings of the common man against corruption.
The three issues are appointment of Lokayuktas in state, preparation of citizens' charter by each government department and inclusion of lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal.
Anna Hazare hoped that no political representative would have problem supporting the three issues as it concerned the common man.
However, he made it clear that his agitation against corruption will continue till all the demands of the Jan Lokpal Bill were met.
Thanking the Prime Minister and the Parliament for their praise of the Jan Lokpal movement on Thursday, Anna Hazare said like the government he was also working to end corruption.
Striking a conciliatory note, he said he is ready to express regrets if anyone from his team had hurt the PM or any other leader with their remarks.
Stating that he was not fighting for any personal gains, Anna urged the PM that he should not hesitate in changing laws to end corruption.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
BJP supports Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill, asks govt to withdraw its version
NEW DELHI: Opening up its cards for the first time on Anna Hazare's agitation, the BJP on Thursday came out in support of his Jan Lokpal Bill saying it should be made the basis of discussion in Parliament over creation of an effective ombudsman and asking the government to withdraw its version of the legislation. 
"The BJP supports Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna. It should be introduced in Parliament. We will make it as the basis of discussion. The government's Lokpal Bill has gone to the parliamentary standing committee. The government can withdraw its bill with the opposition's consent," BJP president Nitin Gadkaritold a press conference at the party headquarters here.
He said he was worried about Anna Hazare's health and urged the Prime minister to take immediate steps to end the current impasse and help the Gandhian end his 10-day fast.
"BJP is with Anna Hazare on the issue of corruption and supports his movement. But the way the situation is deteriorating, it is not good for the nation. Keeping in view the interest of the nation and Anna's health, I appeal to the Prime Minister to take immediate steps. I hope a positive response from the government," Gadkari said.
The BJP leader also said the party was further discussing the Jan Lokpal Bill and would hold a meeting of its parliamentary board - the party's top decision-making body, later this evening.
The three sticking points on which the government and Team Anna have locked horns are likely to be taken up during the BJP parliamentary board meeting.
The BJP president said, "We pray to Anna to end his fast, as we are concerned about his health. The government should take steps to help Anna end his fast."
He said Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill be made the basis of discussion in Parliament and BJP will support it. Don't go into procedures. If the government gives any written assurance to Anna on this, then Anna should decide on ending his fast. It is the demand of the common people in society and nation's interest."
The BJP chief also denied allegations of "match-fixing" with the government and said the question now was the appointment of Lokpal.
On Anna's demand for keeping the Prime Minister under the Lokpal, Gadkari said the BJP is clear in its position that the top post should come under the purview of the ombudsman.
"Whether Prime Minister comes under the Lokpal or not, BJP has made it's position clear. BJP supports bringing the Prime Minister under Lokpal. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had first supported this."
Gadkari, however, said, "It's (bringing PM under Lokpal) detailed part, could be worked out after discussion in Parliament. I am sure a good solution will come out which should be implemented. There should also be a discussion on bringing the Judiciary under the Lokpal."
He said the issue is now between government and Anna Hazare. "Taking in view the situation arising out due to corruption, we ask for an immediate solution."
"The BJP supports Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna. It should be introduced in Parliament. We will make it as the basis of discussion. The government's Lokpal Bill has gone to the parliamentary standing committee. The government can withdraw its bill with the opposition's consent," BJP president Nitin Gadkaritold a press conference at the party headquarters here.
He said he was worried about Anna Hazare's health and urged the Prime minister to take immediate steps to end the current impasse and help the Gandhian end his 10-day fast.
"BJP is with Anna Hazare on the issue of corruption and supports his movement. But the way the situation is deteriorating, it is not good for the nation. Keeping in view the interest of the nation and Anna's health, I appeal to the Prime Minister to take immediate steps. I hope a positive response from the government," Gadkari said.
The BJP leader also said the party was further discussing the Jan Lokpal Bill and would hold a meeting of its parliamentary board - the party's top decision-making body, later this evening.
The three sticking points on which the government and Team Anna have locked horns are likely to be taken up during the BJP parliamentary board meeting.
The BJP president said, "We pray to Anna to end his fast, as we are concerned about his health. The government should take steps to help Anna end his fast."
He said Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill be made the basis of discussion in Parliament and BJP will support it. Don't go into procedures. If the government gives any written assurance to Anna on this, then Anna should decide on ending his fast. It is the demand of the common people in society and nation's interest."
The BJP chief also denied allegations of "match-fixing" with the government and said the question now was the appointment of Lokpal.
On Anna's demand for keeping the Prime Minister under the Lokpal, Gadkari said the BJP is clear in its position that the top post should come under the purview of the ombudsman.
"Whether Prime Minister comes under the Lokpal or not, BJP has made it's position clear. BJP supports bringing the Prime Minister under Lokpal. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had first supported this."
Gadkari, however, said, "It's (bringing PM under Lokpal) detailed part, could be worked out after discussion in Parliament. I am sure a good solution will come out which should be implemented. There should also be a discussion on bringing the Judiciary under the Lokpal."
He said the issue is now between government and Anna Hazare. "Taking in view the situation arising out due to corruption, we ask for an immediate solution."
Victory for Anna Hazare, Lok Sabha to discuss Jan Lokpal tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare's major demand is set to be met with the government on Thursday deciding to have a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Friday on the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Sources said the discussion will take place on the bill in the shape of a "document" and its salient features after which the records of the debate are expected to be sent to the parliamentary standing committee examining the Lokpal Bill.
It was, however, not clear immediately whether the debate would be held under Rule 193 or Rule 184, which entails voting.
The decision in this regard was reached during hectic parleys within the government, which included Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Subsequently, Singh held consultations with senior ministerial colleagues Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony.
The decision to hold the discussion marks meeting of a major demand of Hazare who said only then he would decide on ending his 10-day fast.
Anna Hazare has made three demands to the Prime Minister--- citizen's charter, lokayuktas in all states with Lokpal powers and inclusion of lowest to highest bureaucracy.
During the discussion, members will be free to speak on Aruna Roy's version of Lokpal Bill as also another version.
In view of the discussion, Parliament will have a sitting on Saturday, the sources said.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal also held a meeting with Mukherjee on the issue of discussions.The meeting took place soon after Hazare reacted to Parliament's appeal to end his fast and demanded that it discuss from tomorrow three key issues on Jan Lokpal and create an agreement first.
He has warned that if the Parliament failed to do this, he will not end the fast.
Bansal also had a meeting with law minister Salman Khurshid apparently to work out the format for such a discussion. East Delhi MP Sandip Dikshit, who also been involved in negotiations with Team Anna, was also present in the meeting.
The meetings took place on a day when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Lok Sabha that Parliament will find effective ways and means to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill, along with the government version of the Bill, Aruna Roy's Bill and the paper presented by Jaiprakash Narayan. He also made an appeal to the Gandhian to end his fast.
Sources said the discussion will take place on the bill in the shape of a "document" and its salient features after which the records of the debate are expected to be sent to the parliamentary standing committee examining the Lokpal Bill.
It was, however, not clear immediately whether the debate would be held under Rule 193 or Rule 184, which entails voting.
The decision in this regard was reached during hectic parleys within the government, which included Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Subsequently, Singh held consultations with senior ministerial colleagues Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony.
The decision to hold the discussion marks meeting of a major demand of Hazare who said only then he would decide on ending his 10-day fast.
Anna Hazare has made three demands to the Prime Minister--- citizen's charter, lokayuktas in all states with Lokpal powers and inclusion of lowest to highest bureaucracy.
During the discussion, members will be free to speak on Aruna Roy's version of Lokpal Bill as also another version.
In view of the discussion, Parliament will have a sitting on Saturday, the sources said.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal also held a meeting with Mukherjee on the issue of discussions.The meeting took place soon after Hazare reacted to Parliament's appeal to end his fast and demanded that it discuss from tomorrow three key issues on Jan Lokpal and create an agreement first.
He has warned that if the Parliament failed to do this, he will not end the fast.
Bansal also had a meeting with law minister Salman Khurshid apparently to work out the format for such a discussion. East Delhi MP Sandip Dikshit, who also been involved in negotiations with Team Anna, was also present in the meeting.
The meetings took place on a day when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Lok Sabha that Parliament will find effective ways and means to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill, along with the government version of the Bill, Aruna Roy's Bill and the paper presented by Jaiprakash Narayan. He also made an appeal to the Gandhian to end his fast.
'Govt to discuss Lokpal Bill in Parliament tomorrow'
NEW DELHI: The government has agreed to begin a discussion on the Lokpal Bill in Parliament on Friday, TV channels reported.
The government's move to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament comes after Anna Hazare's demand that Parliament should discuss from Friday three key issues on Jan Lokpal and create an agreement, failing which he will not end his fast.
Hazare has made three demands to the Prime Minister--- citizen's charter, lokayuktas in all states with Lokpal powers and inclusion of lowest to highest bureaucracy.
He was reacting to the appeal from Parliament that he end his fast after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made an offer to the civil society that the Jan Lokpal bill will be discussed by Parliament.
Hazare said he has sent this message through Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh when he came to meet him at the fast site and appealed to him to end his hunger strike.
"You (PM) say, you are worried. Now he is saying that we are worried but for ten days you were not worried. It went on like this," he said, adding the government had betrayed him twice in the past and now he would not like to be betrayed for the third time.
The government's move to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament comes after Anna Hazare's demand that Parliament should discuss from Friday three key issues on Jan Lokpal and create an agreement, failing which he will not end his fast.
Hazare has made three demands to the Prime Minister--- citizen's charter, lokayuktas in all states with Lokpal powers and inclusion of lowest to highest bureaucracy.
He was reacting to the appeal from Parliament that he end his fast after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made an offer to the civil society that the Jan Lokpal bill will be discussed by Parliament.
Hazare said he has sent this message through Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh when he came to meet him at the fast site and appealed to him to end his hunger strike.
"You (PM) say, you are worried. Now he is saying that we are worried but for ten days you were not worried. It went on like this," he said, adding the government had betrayed him twice in the past and now he would not like to be betrayed for the third time.
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