Lokpal bill to return to House amid uproar

The lokpal bill will return to haunt the government in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday with the BJP-led opposition making it clear that they would demand a discussion on the bill before the House takes up any other business. HT reports.

The lokpal bill will return to haunt the government in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday with the BJP-led opposition making it clear that they would demand a discussion on the bill before the House takes up any other business.

HT Image

The government, however, indicated it planned to take up the bill in the second half of the budget session when the House would meet after a three-week recess from April 24.

Leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he would move a notice for suspension of Question Hour and demand a discussion on the lokpal bill, which was inconclusive when the House was abruptly adjourned on December 29.

"The reason the government gave then was that it wants more time to go through the amendments moved by members. By now, it has had enough time," Jaitley said.

Parliamentary affairs minister PK Bansal said the government's priority is to get the Vote on Account passed by March 30. "There is very little time in the first part of the session which is till March 30, despite the fact that 39 bills are listed for consideration and passing," he said.