Cabinet to discuss amended Lokpal Bill on Thursday

New Delhi: The Cabinet will meet on Thursday and is likely to discuss the amended Lokpal Bill. If approved by the Cabinet, the amended Lokpal Bill will be sent to the joint Parliamentary panel for its approval.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote a letter to anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare with assurance that the Lokpal Bill will be passed in the upcoming Budget Session.

Sonia's assurance came two days before Hazare is set to begin his nationwide tour for strengthening the organisation of farmers.

If approved by the Cabinet, the amended Lokpal Bill will be sent to the joint Parliamentary panel for its approval.

However, Hazare said, "We get letters everyday on what will happen but we need to see some movement in Parliament."

"They all make promises but unfortunately they never fulfill them. Lokpal Bill must be introduced," he added.

The Lokpal Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in December 2011, but could not be put to vote in the Rajya Sabha due to shortage of time. Since then the government has not brought the Lokpal Bill to Parliament.

Hazare announced on January 16 that he would begin his nationwide tour from Bihar on January 30. "Keeping in mind the need to strengthen farmers' organisations, I decided to start nationwide tour for one and half years and sit for satyagraha before Lok Sabha polls at Ramleela Maidan, New Delhi," he had said.

Addressing the gathering after receiving the prestigious "Basava Krushi" (agricultural award named after 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara), instituted by 'Kudalasangama Lingayat Panchamasali Mahapeeth' in Bagalkot, Hazare had said, "I will tour in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Panjab and Karnataka and start agitation by organising farmers community".

With Additional Inputs From PTI

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