'Government sensitive and lenient on lokpal bill'

Union minority welfare minister, Salman Khursid, a key member of the joint drafting committee on the lokpal bill, today defended the government’s approach as 'sensitive and lenient' and said none could be above the existing parliamentary system.

Union minority welfare minister, Salman Khursid, a key member of the joint drafting committee on the lokpal bill, on Monday defended the government’s approach as 'sensitive and lenient' and said none could be above the existing parliamentary system.

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"The government's approach on the issue is sensitive and lenient as we discussed nine times to find a solution with civil society members," Khurshid who was in Jamshedpur to campaign for the July 1st Jamshedpur parliamentary by election for his party, told a press conference.

Asked about Anna Hazare’s threat to re-launch his agitation, the minister said it seemed that the Gandhian wanted to challenge Parliament.

Probably, for the first time, he said, the government discussed the issue with unelected members, thus exhibiting it’s seriousness on black money and corruption. The minister said that the government and civil society had differences over two issues including the concept of the lokpal bill.

Khursid said the proposed bill would be tabled in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament beginning August 1.

On the June 4 Baba Ramdev episode, Khursid said the yoga guru was granted permission to hold a yoga camp at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Asked about the Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh government’s stand over a recent Congress rally, he said "it is our responsibility to raise voices for the people and we are ready to violate prohibitory orders, if required."