By IANS,
New Delhi : Eminent lawyer and activist Shanti Bhushan Wednesday urged the government to take part in a national debate June 6 on the contentious issues holding up the proposed Lokpal bill.
Bhushan, co-chair of the joint committee set up to draft the bill, made the appeal in a letter to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
He said the debate would cover the six issues that have created sharp differences between the government and civil society representatives headed by Gandhian Anna Hazare.
“The government has identified six issues related to the Lokpal Bill on which it has sought the opinion of various stakeholders,” said Bhushan.
Mukherjee heads the joint drafting committee.
Bhushan said: “We are orgnising a national public debate on these six issues. The debate is likely to be telecast live by national and regional TV channels. It would educate the people about these issues and help them in giving informed opinion.”
He was referring to Mukherjee’s letter to political parties and chief ministers over the six issues.
Mukherjee asked the states if there should be a single act for Lokpal in the centre and states, whether the prime minister, Supreme Court and high court judges and civil servants come under the purview of the Lokpal, and if the Lokpal should exercise quasi-judicial powers.
Bhushan said that civil society members of the drafting committee would be present in the debate. “Since there is little time left, we would appreciate an early response.”