Delhi Cabinet likely to pass Jan Lokpal Bill tomorrow

New Delhi: The Jan Lokpal Bill is likely to be approved by the Delhi Cabinet tomorrow as its draft has almost been finalised by a panel headed by Chief Secretary.

Arvind Kejriwal. PTI image

According to an official, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today held a long discussion on the Bill in a meeting attended by lawyer and AAP leader Prashant Bhushan, advocate Rahul Mehra, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

"The Cabinet meeting is likely to be held tomorrow (Tuesday) and the agenda is Jan Lokpal Bill," said the official.

A source said the government is taking all steps to meet its February first week's deadline to pass the anti-corruption Bill in a special session of Delhi Assembly from Ramlila ground. On a query about Delhi Police's reported objections on holding Assembly session in Ramlila ground citing law and order issue, he said the government was taking one step at a time and would address the matter once it is ready with the draft and approval from the Cabinet.

The anti-corruption Bill is largely based on Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill. However, it differs on some points, including the inclusion of chief minister in its ambit, the official said. The meeting, which was chaired by Kejriwal to discuss the fine prints of the bill, went on for around two hours. Soon after assuming the office on December 28, Kejriwal had said his government would pass the promised Jan Lokpal Bill from Ramlila ground by the first week of February.

A committee headed by the Chief Secretary and secretaries of Urban Development, Law and Finance departments, besides eminent advocate Rahul Mehra has been given the responsibility of drafting the Jan Lokpal Bill.

In its election manifesto for Delhi Assembly election, AAP had promised to cover all the officials and employees of Delhi Government, from the Chief Minister to MLAs.

Meanwhile, as the AAP government completed its one month, Kejriwal held a review meeting of the ministers and sought
reports on the work carried out by them in the intervening period.

PTI