Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) The special cabinet meeting to discuss and approve the contentious Lokpal bill is likely to be shifted to Monday, government sources told IANS.

The meeting was being planned for Sunday earlier.

Sources said the cabinet could take up another controversial legislation, the national Food Security Bill Monday. The bill may then be introduced next week in the Lok Sabha and referred to the standing committee concerned.

Sources said the shift has been made to give some more time to the government, which is working to frame and finalise the proposed amendments to the Lokpal Bill for cabinet’s consideration and approval.

Sources said incorporating the recommendations of the standing committee concerned and the views expressed by the various political parties on the Lokpal issue need to be reflected in the proposed amendments in order to give them wider acceptability, when the bill is taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha.

While the government has generally agreed to bring prime minister under the Lokpal, it has to work out a mechanism to bring the 57 lakh lower bureaucracy and the Central Bureau of Investigation under the anti-graft ombudsman, the sources said.

Subject to clearance by the cabinet Monday, the bill is likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha Dec 20.

The opposition has already assured the government the house could sit up to late hours next week to pass the Lokpal bill.

Anna Hazare has threatened agitation and an indefinite fast From Dec 27 if the Bill is not passed this winter session which ends Dec 22. Sources said the house could be extended for a day for the purpose.