New
Delhi:
The government is ready to have discussions for a strong
anti-corruption Lokpal Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said
here Saturday.
“We are all in
favour of a Lokpal, which is strong, which is effective,”
the Prime Minister said to
a group of journalists after a full Planning Commission meeting
while answering questions on the Hazare agitation.
"We are open to, I
think, discussion and dialogue. We would like...a broad national
consensus to emerge,” Dr. Singh underlined.
“There is a lot of
scope for give and take. Our hope is that we can enlist the
cooperation of all thinking segements of Indian public opinion to
ensure that the end product is a strong and effective Lokpal which
all sections of our community want,” he said.
The Prime Minister's statement came
after the parliamentary standing committee Saturday morning
invited public suggestions on the Lokpal Bill.
The parliamentary standing committee on personnel, public
grievances, law and justice, which is to suggest amendments to the
Lokpal Bill, published advertisements in leading newspapers,
seeking ideas and suggestions on the bill.
"The committee has decided to invite memoranda containing
views/suggestions from individuals, organisations interested in
the subject matter of the bill and also hear select oral evidence
on the subject matter of the bill," the advertisement said.
A time limit of 15 days starting Saturday has been given to send
suggestions, making it clear that the August 30
deadline set by Anna Hazare on passing the anti-corruption
legislation would not be met.
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