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Lokpal Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, parties object

NEW DELHI: A historic Bill for creation of an anti-graft ombudsman with Constitutional status was introduced in the Lok Sabha today amid objections by various parties to bringing the Prime Minister under its purview and making it mandatory for states to form Lokayuktas.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, was introduced along with a Constitutional (116th Amendment) Bill, even as several parties questioned the "haste" and asserted that Parliament should not allow itself to "succumb" to some individual threatening agitation, a reference to Anna Hazare.

At the same time, the previous Lokpal Bill, 2011, introduced in August, was withdrawn.

Rejecting the contention of "undue haste", the government declared that it was under "no duress" on the issue and it was for Parliamentarians to decide the fate of the Bill.

"If you feel it is not necessary, we will not have it.

Legislation is the domain of Parliament. It is not made on the 'dharna manch' or on the streets," Finance Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said.

Various parties, including BJP, Shiv Sena, RJD, AIMIM and AIADMK, opposed introduction of the Bill in the current form and wanted the government to revise it.

Parties like RJD, Samajwadi Party, AIMIM, AIADMK opposed bringing the Prime Minister under the purview of a body which would be "accountable to nobody".

BJP, JD(U), BJD, AIADMK, DMK and CPI(M) objected to a provision in the Lokpal Bill, claiming that it made it "mandatory" for states to set up Lokayuktas and was an "attack" on the federal structure. — PTI