Lokpal debate bypassing standing committee: Lalu

As the Lok Sabha took up the debate on the Lokpal bill today, RJD leader Lalu Prasad said the house was bypassing the parliamentary standing committee which is looking into the anti-graft legislation.

As the Lok Sabha took up the debate on the Lokpal bill on Saturday, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad got up agitatedly and said by debating the issue the house was bypassing the parliamentary standing committee which is looking into the anti-graft legislation.

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"By allowing the house to debate the Lokpal bill directly is violating the rules," the RJD leader said soon after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's speech.

"Whatever points the members have to make, can be presented to the standing committee," said the leader who is a member of the parliamentary standing committee looking into the bill.

The debate was however taken up later, with Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj initiating the debate.

The debate comes as activist Anna Hazare's fast enters its 12th day demanding the civil society's Jan Lokpal bill to be taken up.