New Delhi: The last meeting between Gandhian Anna Hazare's civil society representatives and the government on drafting an anti-graft Lokpal Bill ended Tuesday with the two sides agreeing that "differences exist".
"Six sticking points remain between us. Drafts were exchanged," Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the hour-long meeting. "We agreed to disagree," he added.
Lawyer and civil society member Prashant Bhushan termed the meeting "disappointing". Earlier, the government announced parliament's monsoon session would start from August 1, as Bhushan hoped an effective anti-graft Lokpal Bill would be introduced in the house.
‘Should be effective'
The session generally begins in mid-July but this year it has been deferred by a couple of weeks.
"If it is only delayed by a week, we don't have much to say about that. We hope the government will keep its promise of tabling an effective Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session," Bhushan, lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare's confidant, told reporters.
"It should be an effective Bill, not just a Bill called Lokpal Bill," he added.
"The monsoon session will be held from August 1 to September 8. The government is serious about all business," Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal said when asked if the anti-graft Lokpal bill will be introduced during the session.
New Delhi: The last meeting between Gandhian Anna Hazare's civil society representatives and the government on drafting an anti-graft Lokpal Bill ended Tuesday with the two sides agreeing that "differences exist".
"Six sticking points remain between us. Drafts were exchanged," Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the hour-long meeting. "We agreed to disagree," he added.
Lawyer and civil society member Prashant Bhushan termed the meeting "disappointing". Earlier, the government announced parliament's monsoon session would start from August 1, as Bhushan hoped an effective anti-graft Lokpal Bill would be introduced in the house.
‘Should be effective'
The session generally begins in mid-July but this year it has been deferred by a couple of weeks.
"If it is only delayed by a week, we don't have much to say about that. We hope the government will keep its promise of tabling an effective Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session," Bhushan, lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare's confidant, told reporters.
"It should be an effective Bill, not just a Bill called Lokpal Bill," he added.
"The monsoon session will be held from August 1 to September 8. The government is serious about all business," Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal said when asked if the anti-graft Lokpal bill will be introduced during the session.
‘Pre-decided'
Meanwhile, civil society member Arvind Kejriwal yesterday said he felt the decisions taken at the meetings on the Lokpal Bill were "pre-decided". But he said discussions between the two sides had helped focus the nation's attention on the Lokpal Bill, aimed at fighting corruption in high places.decided'
Meanwhile, civil society member Arvind Kejriwal yesterday said he felt the decisions taken at the meetings on the Lokpal Bill were "pre-decided". But he said discussions between the two sides had helped focus the nation's attention on the Lokpal Bill, aimed at fighting corruption in high places.
