Govt hopeful lokpal Bill will be passed in both Houses

The government today hoped that the lokpal Bill will be passed in both Houses of Parliament with cooperation from Samajwadi Party, which has opposed the measure.

"We are hopeful that the lokpal Bill will be passed by Rajya Sabha today. Thereafter, the Bill will be taken up in lok Sabha. We are hopeful that the Bill will be passed by Parliament today," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters outside Parliament House.

He said that the Samajwadi Party, which is opposed to the anti-corruption legislation, would cooperate to turn the Bill into law.

"We have spoken to the Samajwadi Party and we are hopeful that the SP will cooperate with us," he said.

Nath had yesterday declared that the lokpal Bill is the government's highest priority and it is even ready to extend the current session of Parliament, concluding on December 20, for passage of the measure.

In Rajya Sabha, Chairman Hamid Ansari today said he has received a notice for suspension of the Question Hour from leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley to discuss the lokpal and lokayuktas Bill, 2011.

"Considering the importance of the matter, I have accepted the notice," he said while asking law Minister Kapil Sibal to read his statement on the Bill followed by a discussion.

As Sibal stood up, Samajwadi Party members shouted slogans against price rise, leading to disruption of proceedings.