New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) President Pratibha Patil’s assent was needed for tabling the Lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha in accordance with a constitutional procedure.

The Lokpal bill needed the president’s assent before coming to Rajya Sabha as several amendments had been moved in the Lok Sabha Tuesday night.

According to clause three of Article 117 of Constitution, the president’s assent is mandatory for tabling any bill that constitutes a body which will draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Article 117 (3) says: ‘A bill which, if enacted and brought into operation, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India shall not be passed by either house of parliament unless the president has recommended to that house the consideration of the bill procedure generally.’

The president has given her assent and the bill is to be moved in the Rajya Sabha Thursday.