Doing all we can to get bill passed: PM

The UPA government will make every effort to pass the lokpal bill in the ongoing winter session of Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday, while returning from his summit meeting in Russia. Pass strong Lokpal Bill or quit: Anna to govt | In letter to PM Anna doubts govt's will on Lokpal Bill | Cabinet to take up Lokpal Bill on Sunday

The UPA government will make every effort to pass the lokpal bill in the ongoing winter session of Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday, while returning from his summit meeting in Russia.

Singh’s response came when he was asked whether the government would be able to pass the anti-corruption legislation in this session of Parliament, which is due to end on December 22.

Singh said, “It’s my hope that by tomorrow (Sunday) we should be able to bring the bill to the cabinet.” He said following the latter’s approval, “we will be ready to take it to Parliament”.

The PM said his government was “working day and night to pass the bill in this session”.

Singh said he did not know what the fate of the bill would be once it was in Parliament. “Once it is in Parliament, it is in the hands of Parliament... But there should be no doubt about our sincerity to get the bill passed in this session.”