NEW DELHI, Dec 17 � After abortive attempts for about 40 years, an across-the-board consensus today saw the landmark Lokpal Bill being pushed through successfully in the Rajya Sabha, marking a step forward in the creation of an anti-corruption ombudsman, reports PTI.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, which has been pending in the House for the last two years, was approved by voice vote after a five-hour debate, almost a year after it was stuck when about to be passed in the House.
The government push to the Bill, which got support from the main opposition BJP, came close on the heels of the Congress drubbing in the Assembly elections, rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ongoing fast by Anna Hazare, who has been campaigning for a strong Lokpal.
Samajwadi Party, a strong opponent to the creation of Lokpal, boycotted the House proceedings after staging a walkout soon after it took up the Bill�s consideration.
The Bill, aimed at tackling the menace of corruption, brings under its purview the Prime Minister with certain safeguards, Ministers and MPs, besides government servants.
Law Minister Kapil Sibal, who moved the Bill and later piloted it, said it was a �historic� day and hoped that all states would pass similar legislations to set up Lokayuktas modelled on this Bill.
Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, while supporting the Bill, said he was happy that the government had accepted all the changes in �this changed environment,� a taunt at the Congress drubbing in the Assembly elections.
NEW DELHI, Dec 17 � After abortive attempts for about 40 years, an across-the-board consensus today saw the landmark Lokpal Bill being pushed through successfully in the Rajya Sabha, marking a step forward in the creation of an anti-corruption ombudsman, reports PTI.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, which has been pending in the House for the last two years, was approved by voice vote after a five-hour debate, almost a year after it was stuck when about to be passed in the House.
The government push to the Bill, which got support from the main opposition BJP, came close on the heels of the Congress drubbing in the Assembly elections, rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the ongoing fast by Anna Hazare, who has been campaigning for a strong Lokpal.
Samajwadi Party, a strong opponent to the creation of Lokpal, boycotted the House proceedings after staging a walkout soon after it took up the Bill�s consideration.
The Bill, aimed at tackling the menace of corruption, brings under its purview the Prime Minister with certain safeguards, Ministers and MPs, besides government servants.
Law Minister Kapil Sibal, who moved the Bill and later piloted it, said it was a �historic� day and hoped that all states would pass similar legislations to set up Lokayuktas modelled on this Bill.
Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, while supporting the Bill, said he was happy that the government had accepted all the changes in �this changed environment,� a taunt at the Congress drubbing in the Assembly elections.
