Trinamool gives notice for amendment in Lokpal Bill

On the eve of consideration of Lokpal Bill by the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress on Wednesday mounted difficulties on the government by giving notice for amendment to the crucial legislation in which it wants references to formation of Lokayuktas to be dropped.

Trinamool, which has six members in the Rajya Sabha, decided to push for the amendment after it got no convincing assurance on its demand during a meeting of its  three leaders with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

During the meeting where Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal and MoS for DoPT V Narayanasamy were also present, the Trinamool leaders Mukul Roy, Sudip Bandhopadhyay and Derek O Brien sought deletion of the clauses 63 to 97, which have reference to Lokayukta formation by states.

However, the government side gave no assurance but said he would make a mention.

After the meeting, the Trinamool Parliamentary Party held a meeting and its chief Mamata Banerjee was briefed on the developments, Derek O Brien told PTI.