Lokpal Bill Hits Fresh Road Block

[golmaal govindam]

[url="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3442748.ece?homepage=true"]http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3442748.ece?homepage=true[/url]

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The passage of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill will be further delayed as the Rajya Sabha on Monday referred it to a select committee despite objections by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Left and the Bahujan Samaj Party.[/font][/color][color=#3B3A39][font=Georgia,]
The House was plunged into arguments and counter-arguments as soon as a Samajwadi Party member proposed referring the Bill to a parliamentary committee for further perusal.[/font][/color][color=#3B3A39][font=Georgia,]
The Opposition benches rose in unison to challenge veteran SP member Naresh Agarwal's proposal that came soon after the Bill was introduced by Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy.[/font][/color][color=#3B3A39][font=Georgia,]
Members argued that the Minister should have moved the proposal for reference instead of “using the shoulder of [a] friendly opposition party.” Members across the aisle fought verbal duels, witnessed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, until the issue was settled by voice vote.[/font][/color][color=#3B3A39][font=Georgia,]
Mr. Narayanasamy then announced the setting up of a 15-member committee, which has been asked to submit its report by the first day of the last week of the monsoon session. The Opposition contended that even the names announced by the Minister were the same as those proposed by Mr. Agarwal.[/font][/color][color=#3B3A39][font=Georgia,]
The debate on setting up an anti-graft ombudsman was first taken up by the Rajya Sabha during the previous winter session but it remained inconclusive. Activists pushing for the legislation were hoping that the House would approve it towards the fag end of the current session.[/font][/color]