Another panel? lokpal wait may get longer

It may be a while before the country gets an anti-graft watchdog.

It may be a while before the country gets an anti-graft watchdog.

HT Image

With consensus eluding the lokpal bill, there is a possibility of a new joint panel — comprising members of both Houses of Parliament — examining it.

The government is to bring the bill to the Rajya Sabha on Monday and after discussions could agree to refer it to a joint select committee, HT has learnt.

The government has been talking to the Opposition but some sticking points remain. It wants to avoid a repeat of December 29, when it ducked a midnight vote on the bill in the House, where it doesn’t enjoy a majority.

Under pressure from allies and opposition, the government has dropped the clause that makes it mandatory for states to set up lokayuktas.

While the MPs will have the exclusive right to seek the removal of the anti-graft watchdog, the issue of CBI autonomy and government control over appointments remain.