Lok Pal referred to GoM; RTI , Employment Guarantee bills cleared

The UPA government tonight approved a slew of legislation to fulfil the promises it made in its National Common Minimum Programme, but kept ...

The UPA government tonight approved a slew of legislation to fulfil the promises it made in its National Common Minimum Programme, but kept the controversial Lok Pal Bill in abeyance by referring it to a Group of Ministers.

Sources said the GoM will consider whether the Prime Minister should be brought into the purview of the ombudsman to probe corruption in high offices. While Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has favoured the inclusion, cabinet members of ally parties are opposed as it could lead to state chief ministers being brought into the realm of the Lokayukta.

A few members felt that the issue needed a detailed look since it had been discussed and deferred a number of times. It was last deferred on October 27. ‘‘The Lok Pal Bill,’’ said Information & Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy, ‘‘needed to be referred to a GoM as a closer look was required.’’

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On a day that the Opposition was demanding his resignation, it was Laloo Prasad Yadav who led the chorus against the Lok Pal Bill.

When Manmohan Singh pointed out that it was a promise made by the UPA in its Common Minimum Programme, Laloo is believed to have said that was not a reason for going ahead with the Bill. Finally, he agreed to a GOM, reportedly saying. ‘‘Han, kar deejiye par meeting math bulaiye’’ (OK, do it but don’t call its meeting.)

Besides Laloo, Law Minister H R Bhardwaj and Kapil Sibal too had reservations on the Bill—on the question of extending the purview to include judges or not. The Law Minister was of the view that the Prime Minister has to take many decisions which are secret in nature and often involve security issues. Bringing the PM into the Bill’s ambit could subject him to needless controversy and weaken the institution of the PM.

	WHAT PASSED, WHAT PAUSED

			• Approved amendments to Hindu Succession Act, 1956, seeking to ensure that daughters and sons get equal rights to ancestral property • Cleared introduction of following Bills in Parliament during ongoing session: Story continues below this ad Right to Information Bill 2004, which will replace Freedom of Information Act 2002 National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill 2004, which seeks to provide 100 days of employment to one member of each family in rural areas Prevention of Child Marriage Bill 2004 in Parliament • Referred Lok Pal Bill to Group of Ministers concerned

Water Resources Minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi argued in favour of the Bill saying as all politicians were seen as corrupt, another postponement of the Bill would do nothing to restore their confidence.

In line with its NCMP, the Cabinet approved the introduction of National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill that aims to provide 100 days of employment to the jobless across the country and the Right to Information Bill.

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Reddy said the UPA National Advisory Council had suggested several changes that made the Right to Information Act ‘‘more progressive, participatory and meaningful’’ than the previous Act ushered by the NDA government in 2002.

In order to curb marriage of children below 18 years and impose stricter penalties against such practices, the Cabinet approved the Prevention of Child Marriage Bill. The Bill has stricter laws drawn from the recommendations by the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women.

All these bills would be introduced during the ongoing Winter session so that some among them could be referred to the Standing Committees, which could consider them during the recess period until the Budget session in next February, Reddy said.