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Bill sows seed of partition: Sushma
Leading the BJP’s charge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj dubbed the Lokpal Bill as weak and constitutionally flawed and suggested the Government to withdraw it so that the standing committee could deliberate on the legislation’s provisions - some of which she described as unconstitutional and divisive.
“Either you correct this Bill, or I say with folded hands, please take it back and send it again to the Standing Committee. Let there be a detailed discussion there and bring it back in three months,” she said.
Swaraj objected to a “mandatory” Central legislation for creation of Lokayuktas in the State and tore into the Government for attempting to provide reservation in the anti-graft body on religious grounds. She listed out the names of personalities belonging to the minority community who have occupied higher offices — including that of President and Prime Minister — even without reservation.
Swaraj told the Prime Minister that the Lokpal Bill in its present form would “sow the seeds of second partition” as it has the provision for religion-based reservation which was “patently unconstitutional” . She pointed out that Manmohan Singh had himself suffered the trauma and pain of the tragedy.
Noting that what was being sought to be passed would not be good for the country, Swaraj reminded Singh that he had himself narrated an Urdu couplet once in the House — ‘lamhon ne khata ki, sadiyon ne saza payee’ (a mistake committed in minutes have led to ages of suffering).
“The Bill has lot of flaws and inconsistencies. We expected Government to bring a Bill that will remove corruption. The Bill has ruined our expectations. It violates the Constitution,” Swaraj said during her spirited speech in the Lower House.
She wondered how this Bill will ensure a strong Lokpal when the head of the body will not have powers to appoint its own secretary and rued that Prime Minister has been brought under Lokpal with so many safeguards that nobody will ever dare to touch him. “If you were not in favour of PM under Lokpal, you should have flatly rejected the demand. Why this farce? This will embarrass the PM,” she said.
The BJP leader was also disappointed that the CBI has not been freed from the clutches of the Government and taunted the Centre for creating “too many bosses” for the investigating agency. She pointed that the Government refused to bring group C and D under the Lokpal, but made provisions to cover the functioning and officials of “every temple, mosque, Gurudwara and Churches”.
Swaraj said the Lokpal Bill aimed at creating a “weak” institution that will not have powers to even appoint its own secretary, but it can seek reports from the Speaker or Chairman of the two Houses of Parliament on why they were not taking action on complaints against MPs.
Swaraj said while the ombudsman would be appointed by a panel dominated by government representatives, his removal would be solely in the hands of the government. She suggested that the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha should be included, replacing the jurist in the selection panel.
Leading the BJP’s charge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj dubbed the Lokpal Bill as weak and constitutionally flawed and suggested the Government to withdraw it so that the standing committee could deliberate on the legislation’s provisions - some of which she described as unconstitutional and divisive.
“Either you correct this Bill, or I say with folded hands, please take it back and send it again to the Standing Committee. Let there be a detailed discussion there and bring it back in three months,” she said.
Swaraj objected to a “mandatory” Central legislation for creation of Lokayuktas in the State and tore into the Government for attempting to provide reservation in the anti-graft body on religious grounds. She listed out the names of personalities belonging to the minority community who have occupied higher offices — including that of President and Prime Minister — even without reservation.
Swaraj told the Prime Minister that the Lokpal Bill in its present form would “sow the seeds of second partition” as it has the provision for religion-based reservation which was “patently unconstitutional” . She pointed out that Manmohan Singh had himself suffered the trauma and pain of the tragedy.
Noting that what was being sought to be passed would not be good for the country, Swaraj reminded Singh that he had himself narrated an Urdu couplet once in the House — ‘lamhon ne khata ki, sadiyon ne saza payee’ (a mistake committed in minutes have led to ages of suffering).
“The Bill has lot of flaws and inconsistencies. We expected Government to bring a Bill that will remove corruption. The Bill has ruined our expectations. It violates the Constitution,” Swaraj said during her spirited speech in the Lower House.
She wondered how this Bill will ensure a strong Lokpal when the head of the body will not have powers to appoint its own secretary and rued that Prime Minister has been brought under Lokpal with so many safeguards that nobody will ever dare to touch him. “If you were not in favour of PM under Lokpal, you should have flatly rejected the demand. Why this farce? This will embarrass the PM,” she said.
The BJP leader was also disappointed that the CBI has not been freed from the clutches of the Government and taunted the Centre for creating “too many bosses” for the investigating agency. She pointed that the Government refused to bring group C and D under the Lokpal, but made provisions to cover the functioning and officials of “every temple, mosque, Gurudwara and Churches”.
Swaraj said the Lokpal Bill aimed at creating a “weak” institution that will not have powers to even appoint its own secretary, but it can seek reports from the Speaker or Chairman of the two Houses of Parliament on why they were not taking action on complaints against MPs.
Swaraj said while the ombudsman would be appointed by a panel dominated by government representatives, his removal would be solely in the hands of the government. She suggested that the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha should be included, replacing the jurist in the selection panel.
