New Delhi: Replying to the Lokpal debate in the Rajya Sabha on behalf of the ruling Congress, Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy on Thursday defended the Government over the Lokpal Bill and attacked the former NDA over the issue.
"Confiscation of property before conviction is a path breaking provision. The Lokpal will have the power to transfer an officer," said Narayanasamy.
Targeting the NDA, he said, "The Bill, which was brought during NDA regime, went to standing committee. For two years, then NDA government did not do anything to bring the Lokpal Bill."
Comparing the bills brought by the NDA and the UPA, Narayanasamy said, "Proposal for selection panel for Lokpal by UPA-2 has got five people and are not loaded with ruling government. The then NDA government's proposal was loaded with ruling government members.
Targeting the BJP, he said, "The BJP members of then NDA government said that the Prime Minister should not come under the Lokpal. Now the same BJP is asking for bringing the Prime Minister under the Lokpal."
He also attacked the BJP over the CBI controversy and said, "There are divergent views on brining the CBI under the Lokpal. CBI director's selection should be independent. The BJP doesn't have faith in the CJI but have faith in the Lokpal."
Narayanasamy defended the Government over providing minority quota in the Lokpal.
"Majority of political parties in all-party meeting said that minorities should be there. Now there is an amendment to remove minorities. Minorities are also citizens of the country, why is there an opposition on minorities now? People from minorities will find representation in the Lokpal. The BJP wanted minorities clause to be deleted."
Narayanasamy continued to attack the NDA over the Lokpal and said, "Let the NDA say what steps they took to curb corruption when they were in power. The Lokpal Bill is a part of anti corruption steps."
"In Uttarakhand, the state government adopted Janlokpal and passed it in hurry," he added.
"We wanted to have a strong and effective Lokpal, but the constitutional status to the Lokpal was defeated in the Lok Sabha. The BJP, while giving dissent note, said that it agrees with giving constitutional status to the Lokpal. But the BJP did a U-turn on constitutional status," said Narayanasamy.
Narayanasamy couldn't complete his reply as the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for 15 minutes amidst the ruckus created by the Opposition parties.
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