India: Lokpal (Ombudsman) Bill introduced in Parliament, parties object

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) A historic bill for creation of an anti-graft Lokpal (ombudsman) with Constitutional status was introduced in India's Parliament today amid objections by various parties to bringing the Prime Minister under its purview and making it mandatory for states to form Lokayuktas (state-level ombudsmen). The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 was introduced along with a Constitutional (116th Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, even as several parties questioned the "haste" and asserted that Parliament should not allow itself to "succumb" to some individual threatening agitation, a reference to social activist Anna Hazare. At the same time, the previous Lokpal Bill, 2011, introduced in August, was withdrawn. Rejecting the contention of "undue haste", the government declared that it was under "no duress" on the issue and it was for Parliamentarians to decide the fate of the Bill. "If you feel it is not necessary, we will not have it. Legislation is the domain of Parliament. It is not made on the 'dharna manch' (protest forum) or on the streets," Finance Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said. Various parties, including BJP, Shiv Sena, RJD, AIMIM and AIADMK, opposed introduction of the bill in the current form and wanted the government to revise it. Parties like RJD, Samajwadi Party, AIMIM, AIADMK opposed bringing the Prime Minister under the purview of a body which would be "accountable to nobody". BJP, JD(U), BJD, AIADMK, DMK and CPI(M) objected to a provision in the Lokpal Bill, claiming that it made it "mandatory" for states to set up Lokayuktas and was an "attack" on the country's federal structure. Giving the context of the move, Mukherjee reminded the House that there had been an "agitation" (by Anna Hazare) and another one was impending. He also referred to the other developments like the meetings of Joint Drafting Committee involving civil society and all-party meetings. "Current events are the efforts since April.... Where is the question of duress? There is no undue haste," he said. The 64-page Bill brings the PM under the purview of Lokpal with certain conditions but keeps out the Central Bureau of Investigation from its control. However, the Lokpal will have superintendence over CBI in corruption cases referred by it to the investigation agency. PTI