Don't be Rigid on Jan Lokpal Bill, Bardhan Tells Civil Society


New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS): Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan Sunday said though he was in agreement with Team Anna on several issues, he was against the rigidity being displayed by activists on absolute acceptance of their Jan Lokpal bill.

Bardhan said he did not agree with all points of the Jan Lokpal bill and asked them to be flexible.

"Don't expect that every word, fullstop and comma of Jan Lokpal bill will be accepted, be flexible. You should also have the patience to listen to others," Bardhan said.

Giving his party's views during the debate organised by Team Anna at Jantar Mantar Sunday, Bardhan strongly favoured inclusion of the prime minister, group C employees under the ambit of the ombudsman, and citizen's charter.

"Prime minister should be under Lokpal," Bardhan said.

"There should be a committee for corrupt ministers, but the head is out..., what does it mean? So prime minister should be included," he said.

Bardhan also said that group C employees should be included under the Lokpal, even if it means adding lakhs of people under the watchdog.

"Group C employees should be included, because common people like me and you don't come in contact with A and B group employees. The harassment we face everyday is by group C," he said.

The Left leader also backed inclusion of CBI's investigative wing under Lokpal, but said he was against inclusion of higher judiciary as it should remain independent.

"I don't think judiciary should be under Lokpal. Judiciary should be independent, and a national judicial commission should be formed and a strong judicial accountability bill should be there," he added.

The debate is being conducted at the site of activist Anna Hazare's one day token fast against the report of the parliamentary committee on Lokpal bill, and favoring a strong anti-graft body.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Alan, M'lore

    Mon, Dec 12 2011

    Dear Jude
    Ours is democratic country...
    there are various rules, laws regulations..
    Our constitution of of the best in the world...
    But these corrupt politicians have taken the freedom provided by the constitution to their advantage.
    So at this point we need to get a rigid Bill.
    If they are clean then why fear..

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jude, Mangalore Dubai

    Sun, Dec 11 2011

    Unfortunately the person in a Gandhi topi with 3 of his followers are holding the nation at ransom, claiming that they represent all. Atleast they don't represent me and millions of other Indians like me. What is very sad to see is that thousands of people without bothering to sitback and introspect and analyze are blindly following Anna and his 3 chamchas. Just like the kids who followed the Pied piper to their doom. This is nothing but birth of neo fascism. Just remember that Hitler and Mussolini too were good orators and were able to fool the gullible masses. Hitler too claimed to be apolitical once. hidden agendas are being served in the name of a Lokpal and the opposition too is making a fool of itself, by falling prey to this nonsense. I shudder to think about my country's future if this gang succeeds.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse


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