New Delhi: CPI has refused to answer a
questionnaire on provisions of Lokpal Bill sent by the
government, saying it will state their views and suggestions
during the discussion on the issue in Parliament.
In a letter to joint Lokpal Bill drafting committee
chairman and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, party general
secretary A B Bardhan said at no stage were the political
parties involved or ever consulted during the entire process
of constituting the joint drafting committee.
"You want our party and also other parties to give our
views on certain matters raised by you regarding the Jan
Lokpal Bill latest by June 6, 2011, because as you say, `The
Joint Drafting Committee has been given a mandate to complete
its work latest by 30th June 2011`. We are not aware who gave
the mandate to the Joint Drafting Committee," he said.
Bardhan alleged the political parties were deliberately
ignored and CPI did not see how at this stage it was called
upon to reply to certain matters, that came up during
discussions within the joint drafting committee, to which the
party had no access or knowledge.
"Answers are sought by you to some issues in `yes` or
`no` as in an objective test. We think this is a very casual
way of inquiring from us on such an urgent, sensitive and
important matter," he said in the letter.
Emphasising that CPI was very keen about an effective
Lokpal Bill, he said, "We insist that such a draft should be
brought in the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
There can be no further delay."
"We as a political party will most certainly state our
views and suggestions during the discussion on the Bill in the
Parliament and also say and write about them whenever we find
it necessary," he said.
PTI
