Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 27 (IANS) Defending the inclusion of minority quota in the Lokpal bill, the government Tuesday assured that the anti-graft legislation will be passed after considering the amendments proposed by opposition parties.

Ahead of a debate on the bill in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V. Narayanasamy said the representation of minorities was a conscious decision for social inclusion.

“Parliament is not the place to discuss legalities. It is the place to forward aspirations of people,” Narayanasamy told a TV channel.

“Minorities are also citizens of the country, they also need representation… government in its wisdom decided to include minorities… because parliament has to ensure all sections of society have to be given adequate representation,” he said.

“Therefore, the government took a conscious decision to include minorities,” he added.

Inclusion of minority quota in the Lokpal is one of the main points of contention between the government and main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is set to move an amendment against it.

The minister added that parliament can sit for extra hours to get the bill passed, depending on the request of members.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla, meanwhile, said the government was optimistic about passing the bill.

“We are hopeful and optimistic… there will be some amendments… we will see them,” Shukla said.

He also hit out at Team Anna, saying: “After so many years, this bill is brought… instead of welcoming it, why are they criticising it?”

He also denied that parliament was under any pressure from the activists.