Govt 'deletes' term 'minorities' from Lokpal Bill

The term was deleted after it was pointed out that there is no provision of reservation for minorities in the Constitution and such a provision in the Lokpal Bill would create complications.

The government is learnt to have deleted the term 'minorities' from the Lokpal Bill with regard to the provision of having 50% quota in the Lokpal bench and the Search Committee.

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Sources said the term was deleted after it was pointed out that there is no provision of reservation for minorities in the Constitution and such a provision in the Bill would create complications.

Legal experts informed the government that reservation for minorities in Lokpal bench and Search Committee would require a constitutional amendment which the government felt would be difficult at this juncture.

According to the Cabinet note circulated on the Bill yesterday, the government has proposed 50% reservation for SC/ST, OBCs, Minorities and Women in the Lokpal bench and in the Search Committee. Half of the bench would be members from judicial background. This is a departure from the original bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August.

Now a correction has been made in the legislation by dropping the word 'minorities'.