Lokpal to have full authority: Prashant Bhushan

The proposed Lokpal will be a functionaly, administratively and financially independent body. It will be a broadbased, participatory and transparent panel. Emerging out of the third meeting of the government and Civil society members of the drafting committee in New Delhi this evening, Civil Society member Prashant Bhushan said that government has agreed to give full authority to Lokpal on its appointment, investigation and prosecution functions. He also said that issues related to bringing Prime Minister and Chief Justice under the ambit of Lokpal's investigation will be discussed in subsequent meetings.

Another civil society member Arvind Kejriwal said that the drafting committee also discussed the role of politicians and judges in the working of Lokpal. The role of CVC and CBI will be discussed in the next meeting on 23rd of this month. He said that government has given a green signal to the non-inclusion of the retired bureaucrats, who served under the then government. Kejriwal also said that government has not opposed any clause of the proposed bill and has commited that issues if any, will be sorted out through discussions.

Telecom Minister and one of the five members representing the government, Kapil Sibal said that centre will discuss the the issue for creating similar authority in the states with the state governments. He said government is hopeful that final draft of the bill will be ready by the end of June. The minister said that subsequent meetings will focus on the issues regarding the impact of the proposed panel over the constitutinal authorities. All the ten members were present in the meeting.

Courtesy : DDN