Indian PM Meets Party Leaders Over Anti-Graft Bill

NEW DELHI (NNN-Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday made it clear to leaders of various political parties that the central government is committed to setting up an effective Lokpal (Ombudsman).

"Our government stands committed to an effective Lokpal legislation," said the prime minister who called the meeting in an effort to evolve consensus over the controversial anti-graft Lokapl Bill.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Defense Minister A.K. Antony, apart from leaders of opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Communist Party of India.

The Lokpal Bill was passed by Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, in the last winter session. It still has to go through the procedures in Rajya Sabha or the Upper House.

Opposition parties have proposed 97 amendments to the bill in Rajya Sabha some of which were contentious.

The Indian government is keen on passing the Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha although the opposition and social activists have renewed pressure on the issue.--NNN-XINHUA