Economics and elections

The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha after the Rajya Sabha had put its stamp on it. The reworked bill puts the PM under the Lokpal’s purview, covers all ministers and public servants, prevents transfer of investigating officers, does not offer officials a chance for hearing at the preliminary stage of an inquiry, and does not force its model onthe states. Though there has been a clamour to claim credit for the Bill’s passage, Sushma Swaraj said it clearly that all credit must lie with Anna Hazare—who welcomed the passage of the bill while his former partners in the AAP spoke of a compromise. The notable dissenters to the bill are the Shiv Sena and the Samajwadi Party. Suggestions which have been shot down include the BJP’s demand that there should not be a provision for religion- based reservations in the Lokpal, and the Left parties’ view that the private sector and NGOs be brought in its ambit. Congress is taking full credit for passing the bill, the refrain being that it should have been done earlier.