Lokpal Bill not to be passed in Budget Session?

New Delhi, May 21 (ANI): The much-awaited Lokpal Bill is not expected to be passed in the Budget Session of Parliament ending on Tuesday.

According to media reports, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition are still at loggerheads over certain aspects of the anti-graft bill.

According to sources, the government and the Opposition have not arrived at any consensus on the amendments moved by the Centre. The bill may now be sent to a select committee.

Moreover, reports further state that the differences between the government and the opposition over the role of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) still persists.

The government, however, tabled the much-awaited White Paper on black money in Parliament today which did not disclose any name, but made a strong case for setting up Lokpal and Lokayuktas to deal with the menace.

Team Anna that has so far mounted pressure on the UPA Government to pass an effective Lokpal Bill has alleged that the former is not serious on the issue.

RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, has said Team Anna would decide its future course of action after the budget session of parliament ends.

"We are waiting for the parliament session to get over. Our future strategy and agitation will be announced after that," said Kejriwal.

"We do doubt their (government) intentions. When the budget session was so big then why did they not get the bill earlier? Why on the last day? They could have got it 15-30 days earlier, so defiantly there is a doubt over their intentions," he added.

Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and Team Anna member Kiran Bedi had earlier said the Central Government is not serious about endorsing an effective Lokpal Bill, since it would be like sounding the death knell for corrupt politicians.

"The Lokpal Bill is a very tough law for people who are corrupt and they also happen to be in power. They also know that there is enough proof against them. It will be very difficult for them as they will be investigated and like former telecom minister A Raja they will go to jail because whistleblowers will gather enough proof against them. So this will not be enacted easily," Bedi said.

"It will be enacted when all of us stand together with Anna Hazare because these politicians count the number of people," she added.

The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the winter session of Parliament in December 2011.

The Rajya Sabha broke up for recess on December 29, 2011 without voting on the bill to create a Lokpal before the deadline set by activist Anna Hazare, who led a campaign for the measure. (ANI)