Keep PM out of Lokpal's reach, says Ashwani

Minister of state for planning Ashwani Kumar on Saturday expressed concern over bringing the Prime Minister, conduct of MPs and lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal's ambit. He said it can lead to practical problems. HT reports.

Minister of state for planning Ashwani Kumar on Saturday expressed concern over bringing the Prime Minister, conduct of MPs and lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal's ambit. He said it can lead to practical problems.

HT Image

As the first speaker from the government after finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's opening statement in Rajya Sabha, Kumar wanted the house to consider what will happen to the Prime Minister's office in case of vexatious and malicious allegations.

"The Prime Minister is the keystone of our Cabinet arch. The PMO is at the centre of everything that leads to sustain integrity and unity of the country. Please reflect on what should we do," he said.

Kumar also raised some important issues in the Lokpal debate on a Central law to appoint Lokayuktas in states. He said integrity of the country's federal structure has to be kept in mind while deciding on the important issue.

He also questioned the kind of "kind of guidance that he (Hazare) has received" at the protest venue.