New Delhi: All eyes were on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as he made his statement in Parliament on the Lokpal Bill today, also to see how he would specifically raise the three sticking points that have prevented Anna Hazare's team of anti-corruption crusaders and the government in reaching agreement on a draft Lokpal Bill as the 74-year-old Gandhian fasts for over 12 days now.
Mr Mukherjee, in furnishing a succinct account of events since April this year, brought up the three points - the replication of the Lokpal model in all states; a citizen's charter for all government departments that clearly lists penalties for under-performance; and the inclusion of junior bureaucrats for review by the Lokpal - as questions before the House.
He asked that the views of the House be heard on these and said "after the deliberation is over... we can arrive at a consensuses... which will reflect the sense of the House." He also said that the "practicability, constitutionality and implementability" of Anna Hazare's demands must be considered.
And sought an objective solution, within the framework of the Constitution, as the nation watched the Indian Parliament debate the historic Bill.
Early in his speech, Mr Mukherjee said that of a list of 40 features, there was agreement on 34 and differences on six. The original areas of dispute that he listed were:
1) Should one Act apply to both the Centre and states? Will states accept a draft legislation or model legislation on Lokayuktas?
2) Should the PM be included with qualifications?
3) Should the judiciary be included?
4) Should MPs inside Parliament be covered?
5) Can all civil servants be punished and dismissed by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas?
6) What should be the definition of Lokpal and should it have quasi-judicial powers?
Mr Mukherjee, in furnishing a succinct account of events since April this year, brought up the three points - the replication of the Lokpal model in all states; a citizen's charter for all government departments that clearly lists penalties for under-performance; and the inclusion of junior bureaucrats for review by the Lokpal - as questions before the House.
He asked that the views of the House be heard on these and said "after the deliberation is over... we can arrive at a consensuses... which will reflect the sense of the House." He also said that the "practicability, constitutionality and implementability" of Anna Hazare's demands must be considered.
And sought an objective solution, within the framework of the Constitution, as the nation watched the Indian Parliament debate the historic Bill.
Early in his speech, Mr Mukherjee said that of a list of 40 features, there was agreement on 34 and differences on six. The original areas of dispute that he listed were:
1) Should one Act apply to both the Centre and states? Will states accept a draft legislation or model legislation on Lokayuktas?
2) Should the PM be included with qualifications?
3) Should the judiciary be included?
4) Should MPs inside Parliament be covered?
5) Can all civil servants be punished and dismissed by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas?
6) What should be the definition of Lokpal and should it have quasi-judicial powers?
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