New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha Thursday debated the Lokpal bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha two days ago.
Here are some of the quotes –
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley: ‘If you are creating history, let us not create bad history. We will be leaving a lot of task for the next generation to do. Let us create an institution which is constitutionally possible. Why are you creating a constitutional havoc? The government is trying to make constitutional cocktail. You wanted to create a phoney Lokpal and create a smokescreen that you are giving a constitutional status.’
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi: ‘If you don’t want to pass the bill, say so, and have the courage and don’t hide behind excuses. Would have invited Jaitley to help gift us a strong Lokpal as a birthday present. But BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is parsimonious in giving birthday presents. So don’t do it for our sake but join us in passing a Lokpal bill for the sake of the nation. You are using conditionality as a pretext not to pass the bill. If you don’t want to pass the bill, say so. Have the courage of your convictions.’
Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury: ‘Supremacy of the constitution cannot be violated. Spirit of constitution is that India comprises of states. Corporates need to be brought under Lokpal, if you don’t cover supply side and only demand side, it (corruption) will not be cured. All matters under Prevention of Corruption Act taken by CBI should be brought under superintendence of Lokpal.’
Bahujan Samaj Party leader Satish Chandra Misra: ‘We all know how CBI is being misused by the central government. So we want the CBI to be independent and not under the administrative control of government.’
Trinamool Congress Sukhendu Sekhar Roy: ‘Previously it was only ‘Lokpal bill’, suddenly and surprisingly it became the ‘Lokpal and Lokayukta bill’. It is an attack on federal structure which is unacceptable.’
