Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Even as social activist Anna Hazare`s fast entered the fourth day on Friday to press for the Jan Lokpal Bill, the government is likely to table the anti-graft bill in the Rajya Sabha today.
As per reports, the government plans to move 13 amendments to the bill. On the other hand, the main Opposition, the BJP, while addressing the media expressed reservations about some of its provisions.
The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last year.
Yesterday, Union Minister Harish Rawat had told the media that the bill would be tabled in the Upper House on Monday. However, earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had said that the government would list the measure in the Rajya Sabha on Friday as a "priority".
Congress also rejected BJP leader Arun Jaitley`s allegation that the UPA government was not keen on passage of key bills including Lokpal.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj accused the government of trying to cut short the session, thereby stalling the anti-graft bill and said her party is keen that it is taken up without delay.
BJP said the government should drop two amendments on which there is disagreement. Government is opposed to the amendment which states that the Lokpal should be consulted before a CBI officer probing a case is transferred.
While the Opposition maintains this will check undue interference of the government, the government insists it has the right to post and transfer officials.
The other amendment on which there is no agreement between the government and Opposition is on search and seizure of an official`s property. Government maintains he should be show-caused first when a charge of disproportionate assets is made against him while the Opposition says it will take away the element of suddenness and surprise and alert the person.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party made it clear that it will oppose the Bill in the Rajya Sabha while the JD(U) and NCP supported its early passage.
Anna`s fast in his native village in Maharashtra entered the fourth day today. He began an indefinite fast to press for a strong anti-graft bill on Thursday. The first agitation that he launched for the Lokpal Bill was in April 2011 in the national capital.
He rejected Centre`s appeal made to him to end the fast and accused the Congress of cheating and misleading the people on the Lokpal issue.
With PTI inputs
