New Delhi: Government and the Opposition on Saturday appeared to be inclined to give consensual approval to fasting Anna Hazare`s three key demands amid keenness to end the impasse but most of the members emphasised the need for preserving Constitution`s sanctity and Parliament`s supremacy. The much-awaited debate on Anna Hazare`s conditions took off in both Houses of Parliament with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee`s statement in which he said the country was at cross-roads and asked lawmakers to give their serious and considered views on the "important" and "genuine" issues raised by Hazare.

He set the tone by urging members of the two Houses to consider the Gandhian`s three key demands on Lokpal Bill within Constitutional framework and by preserving Parliament`s supremacy.

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These issues were (i) whether the jurisdiction of the Lokpal should cover all employees of the Central government, (ii) whether it will be applicable through the institution of the Lok Ayukt in all states, and (iii) whether the Lokpal should have the power to punish all those who violate the `grievance redressal mechanism` to be put in place.

"In case a consensus emerges at the end of the discussions, the Standing Committee will, in the course of their deliberations, take into account their practicability, implementability and constitutionality.

"For, everything that we do must be consistent with the principles enshrined within our Constitutional framework," Mukherjee said. BJP gave "consent" to all the three issues under consideration of the two Houses.
PTI