Lokpal bill referred to Rajya Sabha Select Committee

New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) In yet another twist, the controversial Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill was referred to the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha on Monday, further delaying the setting up of the anti-graft ombudsmen at the central and state government levels which has been hanging fire for 42 years. The Bill, on which debate had remained inconclusive in the upper house of India's Parliament during the last Winter Session, was referred to the Select Committee through a motion soon after Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy moved it for consideration and passage. Interestingly, the motion for referring the bill to the Select Committee was moved initially by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal. This was strongly objected to by BJP, Left parties and BSP, with their members arguing that only the minister concerned could move such a motion and accusing the ruling coalition of "using the shoulder" of a "friendly opposition" party. After high drama marked by arguments and counter-arguments over whether rules permitted any other member to move such a motion, the government yielded and the motion was moved by Narayanasamy which was immediately passed by voice vote. He said the 15-member committee would have to submit its report by the first day of the last week of Monsoon Session (about August end or September first week depending on when the session convenes). While moving the bill, the Minister said differences on it had been narrowed down after consultations with various parties. He said the government proposed to bring lower bureaucracy under the purview of Lokpal which will have investigating and prosecution wing. Besides, Central Vigilance Commission will monitor investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation referred to it by the Lokpal. There will be provisions for attachment of properties and time-frame for investigations. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was witness to the high drama ahead of the Bill being referred to the Select Committee of the Upper House. The Lokpal Bill was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha, the lower house, during the winter session but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha, where it was brought on the last day of the session and the House was adjourned abruptly before voting could take place. Members of various parties in the Rajya Sabha had earlier opposed any move to form Lokayuktas or ombudsmen at the state level through the central Act, saying it was an infringement of the rights of the states. PTI