Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) The Lokpal Bill can be taken up in the monsoon session only if the select committee looking into the mesure gives its recommendation much before the stipulated time, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said Friday.

Stressing that the government was committed to get the bill passed, Bansal told reporters here that if the Rajya Sabha’s select committee, which has been asked to give its recommendations by the first day of the session’s last week, gives them by the middle of the session, it may be possible to bring the bill in the session.

The monsoon session starts Aug 8 and ends Sep 7.

If the report is given on the stipulated date only, it will be difficult for government to “finish deliberations in four days”, said Bansal, adding the bill has not been listed for consideration in the session.

Bills which were ready will be taken up in the session and the government was willing to discuss all issues, he said.

Bansal said 31 bills, including those relating to forward contracts, banking laws, land acquisition and women’s reservation in parliament are listed for passage in the session.

Other bills listed include Educational Tribunal Bill, the whistleblowers protection bill, mines bill, and prevention of bribery of foreign public officials bill.

Replying to a question, Bansal said the Insurance Bill and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill do not figure in the agenda. He said a total 118 bills are pending at some stage or the other.

The Lokpal bill has been passed by Lok Sabha. However, if government agrees to amendments based on recommendations of select committee, it would bring the bill again to the Lok Sabha for passage.

Bansal Friday met chief whips from various parties who told him about the issues they intended to raise including riots in Assam, train accidents and low-intensity blasts in Pune.