Lokpal Bill: Cabinet Meet Postponed

The Union Cabinet meeting to approve Lokpal Bill draft scheduled to be held this morning has been postponed to evening today. The draft bill is not ready yet and is being still worked out.

If draft bill gets the Cabinet nod, it will be passed in Parliament on 21 December. As the winter session ends Dec 22, the government may extend it for a day Dec 23 or may reconvene Parliament from Dec 27-29 post-Christmas holidays to pass the Lokpal bill. Parliamentary affairs minister PK Bansal has informed the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about the government's intention to extend the session. Both parties have also issued whips to their members to be present in Parliament till Dec 22.

Sources said an extension might be required as the draft bill has over 60 amendments and more could come from opposition members when the legislation is debated in Parliament. Sources said keeping in mind the high number of amendments, the government is likely to bring a new bill in the Lok Sabha for clarity after withdrawing the one already introduced.