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New Delhi: The
government Wednesday said it is determined to pass the Lokpal bill
as it unveiled its legislative agenda for the winter session of
parliament that includes whistle blower protection bill, judicial
standards and accountability bill and food security bill.
Talking to mediapersons, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan
Kumar Bansal said the session, starting Nov 22, will have 21
sittings.
He said the government was keen to pass the Lokpal bill.
"Government is determined to pass the (Lokpal) Bill... Government
stands committed to root out corruption. It may not be done
through one law," Bansal said.
He hoped the parliamentary standing committee examining the bill
will be able to submit its report by Dec 1.
Anna Hazare has threatened to go on a hunger strike again if the
government does not pass the bill in the winter session. Hazare's
hunger strike for a strong Lokpal in April and August this year
made the government agree to his demands.
Bansal said apart from 31 bills for consideration and passing, 23
bills had been listed for introduction.
The bills listed for introduction include food security bill,
prevention of money laundering amendment bill, electronic delivery
of services bill, consumer protection amendment bill,
biotechnology regulatory authority of India bill, companies bill
and north eastern areas (reorganisation) amendment bill.
Bansal said citizens right to grievance redress bill, which is
being given final shape by the government, is also likely to be
introduced in the winter session. The grievance redress bill aims
at checking graft in lower levels of administration and sets
standards for time-bound public service from panchayats to
government departments.
Bansal said he also met chief whips of all political parties to
discuss the issues they wanted to take up during the session.
"Political parties want to discuss issues like price rise, black
money, division of states, energy security, corruption, situation
in Afghanistan, earthquake in Sikkim and also issues concerning
the farmers," he added.
"Government is ready to discuss all issues," he said.
The bills intended to be taken up for consideration and passing
during the winter session include women's reservation bill, seeds
bill, pesticide management bill, pension fund regulatory and
development bill, educational tribunals bill, Prasar Bharti
amendment bill.
The financial business includes supplementary demands for grants
(general) and (railways) for 2011-12.
Bansal said he had urged the opposition parties to cooperate in
running of parliament and not cause disruptions. He said there was
concern in the meeting of chief whips that question hour should
not be disrupted.
Bansal said that significant legislative agenda had been listed
for winter session and hoped that at least two bills will be
passed each day.
Asked about the land acquisition bill, Bansal said it had been
referred to the standing committee.
"If any bill is ready and government is able to finalise its mind,
it will be taken up," he said.
Bansal said the government was of the view that Lokpal bill cannot
be an all-encompassing bill and a slew of measures were required
to fight corruption.
He said a single bill will lead to "huge bureaucracy" and it will
not serve the purpose.
The winter session is scheduled to end Dec 21.
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