Lokpal panel meets for last time tomorrow; differences persist

New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) As the joint drafting
committee on Lokpal Bill winds up discussions on Tuesday,
"serious differences" on Monday persisted between the Indian
government and civil society and fresh discord broke out over
appointment and removal of the anti-corruption ombudsman.
Both the sides will exchange their drafts version of
the bill which will be merged into one document with
differences listed for a final decision to be taken by the
Union Cabinet, spokespersons for both the camps said.
While Indian HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, one of the
official representatives on the committee, claimed that there
was 80 to 85 per cent agreement between the two sides and that
there was a "major breakthrough" and forward movement, the
civil society side made light of the government claim.
Sibal acknowledged that there was "strong divergence"
of opinions but both the camps said the discussions were held
in a "very cordial atmosphere".
The differences between the two sides remain on
inclusion of Prime Minister within the ambit of the Bill as
also the higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside the House,
funding model, CBI under Lokpal and Lokayuktas in state.
At Monday's meeting, an addition was made to this list
when the two sides disagreed over who will constitute the
panel to select Lokpal and who can approach the Supreme Court
for removal.

Arvind Kejriwal, a civil society member in the
committee, said the government wanted the selection panel
should have Prime Minister, Leaders of both the Houses in
Parliament, Leaders of Opposition, Speaker, Cabinet Secretary,
a Supreme Court judge and a High Court Chief Justice, which
they say protects the existing corrupt system.
Kejriwal and other civil society representative
Prashant Bhushan said the government maintained the Lokpal
Bill would have a provision that it alone would have the
provision to approach the Supreme Court for removal of the
ombudsman and people would not have such a right.
The government has so far agreed that the Prime
Minister can be brought under the Lokpal only after he demits
office and not when he is holding the office.
Bhushan asked what is the logic of giving immunity to
the Prime Minister when he is holding office because that will
be the national security threat which he can compromise
through corrupt deals.
"None of us are hoping for an agreement tomorrow,"
Kejriwal said adding both the sides will exchange drafts and
one note containing differences will go to the Cabinet.
On Sibal's claim of 80-85 per cent agreement, Bhushan
said the question is the quality of agreement. "All the basic
principles are not of same importance. The differences are on
the basic vision of the Lokpal which the civil society wants
and which the government is prepared for," he said.