The Lokpal Bill is all set to be passed in the Rajya Sabha today after a debate that is taking place in an atmosphere of rare political consensus. The Bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha tomorrow, the government announced soon after its ally Samajwadi Party backed down on its threat to block the bill at any cost. In Maharashtra, Anna Hazare, who is on the 8th day of his fast for a Lokpal, monitored the debate on television.
HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES ON THIS STORY:
1. The government today agreed to incorporate a key amendment demanded by the opposition BJP, which allows searches or raids by the CBI or police on an officer accused of corruption without having to take permission.
2. The proposed anti-graft law provides for a Lokpal or national ombudsman to investigate corruption charges against public functionaries.
3. Law Minister Kapil Sibal urged all parties to rise about politics and pass the "historic Bill". The BJP's Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition, backed the proposed law but added that it was important to have state level authorities, or Lokayuktas.
4. CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury alleged a tacit understand between the government and the BJP on the Bill, invoking a Hindi film classic 'Aankhon hi Aakhon mein ishaara ho gayaa,' to the amusement of members.
5. The government's floor managers persuaded the Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh Yadav to tone down their stance and allowed the party's Ram Gopal Yadav to voice his objection before staging a strategic walkout ahead of the debate.
6. This morning, Rahul Gandhi met with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and minister in charge of the Prime Minister's office V Narayanasamy - to discuss the strategy to ensure the Bill's passing in Parliament.
7. Congress sources said Mr Gandhi has taken charge of the party's Lokpal strategy, which many see as the party's attempt to credit him with championing the anti-corruption measure ahead of national polls due by May.
8. The Congress party's redoubled push for the Lokpal Bill is being seen in the context of its humiliating defeat in the Delhi elections. Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party or AAP made a stunning debut with its promise to fight corruption, decimating the Congress after three terms.
9. Anna Hazare has written to Rahul Gandhi thanking him for his support to the Bill. He has disagreed vehemently with Arvind Kejriwal, his one-time protege, who has said the Lokpal Bill lacks teeth. Mr Gandhi wrote back to Anna that his party was trying to give the country a strong Lokpal and acknowledged the 76-year-old Gandhian's role in the proposed law.
10. In December, 2011, the Bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha but was stalled in the Rajya Sabha. It was then sent to a parliamentary committee for review. The amended version will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. That version must then be cleared by the Lok Sabha.
1. The government today agreed to incorporate a key amendment demanded by the opposition BJP, which allows searches or raids by the CBI or police on an officer accused of corruption without having to take permission.
2. The proposed anti-graft law provides for a Lokpal or national ombudsman to investigate corruption charges against public functionaries.
3. Law Minister Kapil Sibal urged all parties to rise about politics and pass the "historic Bill". The BJP's Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition, backed the proposed law but added that it was important to have state level authorities, or Lokayuktas.
4. CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury alleged a tacit understand between the government and the BJP on the Bill, invoking a Hindi film classic 'Aankhon hi Aakhon mein ishaara ho gayaa,' to the amusement of members.
5. The government's floor managers persuaded the Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh Yadav to tone down their stance and allowed the party's Ram Gopal Yadav to voice his objection before staging a strategic walkout ahead of the debate.
6. This morning, Rahul Gandhi met with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and minister in charge of the Prime Minister's office V Narayanasamy - to discuss the strategy to ensure the Bill's passing in Parliament.
7. Congress sources said Mr Gandhi has taken charge of the party's Lokpal strategy, which many see as the party's attempt to credit him with championing the anti-corruption measure ahead of national polls due by May.
8. The Congress party's redoubled push for the Lokpal Bill is being seen in the context of its humiliating defeat in the Delhi elections. Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party or AAP made a stunning debut with its promise to fight corruption, decimating the Congress after three terms.
9. Anna Hazare has written to Rahul Gandhi thanking him for his support to the Bill. He has disagreed vehemently with Arvind Kejriwal, his one-time protege, who has said the Lokpal Bill lacks teeth. Mr Gandhi wrote back to Anna that his party was trying to give the country a strong Lokpal and acknowledged the 76-year-old Gandhian's role in the proposed law.
10. In December, 2011, the Bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha but was stalled in the Rajya Sabha. It was then sent to a parliamentary committee for review. The amended version will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. That version must then be cleared by the Lok Sabha.
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