By Vivek, Chandigarh, June 18: The Government’s intentions became very clear today as it wants to kill Jan Lokpal Bill before it is born. They want to create a Lokpal without any administrative or investigatory machinery-an emaciated and disempowered Lokpal. Government says that it would be an eleven membered body. Benches of these eleven members would take all decisions. Lokpal would have powers to receive grievances from ordinary people. “There would be thousands of complaints from across the country, how will these eleven members deal with it?” asked civil society members. The government is mum over the issue raised. “We wanted a Lokpal with officers working under it at district level, who would have powers to deal with cases at local level. Government refuses to accept that model. It was clear today that the government had already made up its mind. “said civil society members. Inside the committee, the civil society members kept on arguing strenuously on each point.
The government nominees suggested to bring their version of Lokpal Bill in the next meeting to see whether there could be consensus on any more issues. Finally two Bills will be sent to the Cabinet. They also refused to hand over the copies of audio tapes of the proceedings so far showing their hesitation in making the decision public.