PM urges Opposition to help in passing an effective Lokpal Bill (Update)

New Delhi, Dec 27 (ANI): Asserting that the nation awaits with bated breath how the collective wisdom of this House will be reflected in the vote at the end of the debate on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday urged the leaders of all parties to rise above partisan politics to demonstrate to the people of India that the Lok Sabha is committed in its effort to combat corruption.

Dr. Singh in his speech made inside the Lok Sabha today said: "There are some very special moments in the life of a nation. This is one such moment. The nation awaits with bated breath how the collective wisdom of this House will be reflected in the vote at the end of the debate on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011. The broad provisions of this Bill have been vigorously debated both in the public domain and by political parties.

"It is my honest belief that the Bill that is now before the House lives up to the promise that members of this House collectively made to the people of this country by way of the sense of the House at the end of the debate on 27th August, 2011. The task of legislation is very serious business and must eventually be performed by all of us who have been constitutionally assigned this duty. Others can persuade and have their voices heard. But the decision must rest with us," he added.

Dr. Singh emphasised the government will not end the fight against corruption with the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill.

"We must embrace a holistic approach in our fight against corruption. Our laws must be all pervasive if we are genuine in our endeavour. Legal sophistry cannot be used to argue that State Legislatures must not adopt the model law proposed or delay its enforcement. Corruption is corruption whether in the Union or in the States. It has no legislative colour. I urge leaders of all parties to rise above partisan politics to demonstrate to the people of India that this House means business in its effort to combat corruption," said Dr. Singh.

"All of us are party to the resolution reflecting the sense of the House in which we committed to establish Lokayuktas in the States along with the Lokpal. We would be in breach of the promise that this House made to the nation if we do not provide for the mechanism of the Lokayuktas by taking recourse to citing articles of the Constitution as impediments. Such a course of action should not derail the sense of the House. I urge my colleagues," he added.

Emphasising that the government held a wide range consultations ahead of drafting the Lokpal Bill, Dr. Singh said: " At the same time we must keep in mind the fact that corruption and its consequences eat into the body politic. We have seen how public anger has manifested itself in the last one year. Let us, therefore, endorse this Bill as proposed. In drafting this legislation we have had a wide range of consultations."

"We have been enriched by the wisdom of political parties and all shades of opinion have been taken into account," he added.

The Prime Minister further said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should function without interference through any Government 'dictat', but no entity should be created which has 'onerous executive responsibilities without any accountability'.

"We believe that the CBI should function without interference through any Government dictat. But no institution and no individual, howsoever high he may be, should be free from accountability. All institutional structures must be consistent with our Constitution. Today we are given to believe that a Government that is directly elected by the people and accountable to it cannot be trusted but a body that will not derive its legitimacy from the people directly or be accountable to it could be trusted to wield its immense powers with honour and trust," said Dr. Singh.

"No entity should be created inconsistent with our constitutional framework and charged with onerous executive responsibilities without any accountability. In the ultimate analysis, all institutions within the framework of the Constitution are accountable to Parliament and Parliament alone. In our enthusiasm to enact this law we must not falter. I believe that the CBI should function independently of the Lokpal. I also believe that the CBI should function independently of the Government. But independence does not mean absence of accountability," he added.

The Prime Minister said the government has proposed a process of appointment of the CBI Director, which involves the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India or his nominee and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

"None should have doubts about the integrity of this process. As far as the issue of CBI functioning under the Lokpal is concerned, my Government believes that this would create an executive structure outside Parliament, which is accountable to none. This is anathema to sound constitutional principles," said Dr. Singh.

"I believe that the Bill which is now before the House contains a judicious blend of functional autonomy and accountability of the CBI. I am sure that the wisdom of this House will rise to support my Government's proposal as reflected in this Bill," he added. (ANI)