Lokpal Bill likely to come up in Rajya Sabha today

Putting forth the government’s stand, parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath said: ‘The priority is to pass the bill. All speculations from media over curtailing of the winter session are not true. There is no plan at the moment to curtail the session.’ Later, union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde confirmed that the select committee has already given a notice to the Rajya Sabha chairman to take up the Lokpal Bill.

It was learnt that the minister of state in the PMO V Narayanasamy has already sent a notice stating that the matter should be immediately taken up in the Rajya Sabha. The home minister said: ‘The Lokpal Bill has been passed from the Lok Sabha and it has gone to the Rajya Sabha. The select committee in the Rajya Sabha had recommended 13 amendments in the bill and that were also considered by the government.’ Meanwhile, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said there is no point in discussing the matter in the Rajya Sabha. He said the BJP is in favour of passing the bill. Jaitely’s reply came following Hazare’s letter to him on the issue on 30 November. On Wednesday, there were media reports that Parliament may be forced to adjourn sine die ahead of schedule due to the continued disruptions. The significant move over the bill came amidst Hazare’s fast, which entered its third day on Thursday, when a team of AAP leaders visited Hazare.