Lokpal Bill - TMC seeks changes in Lokayukta clause

New Delhi: After facing embarrassment in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the government on Wednesday braced for possible difficulties in Rajya Sabha from its ally Trinamool Congress which is opposed to a provision in Lokpal Bill on setting up of Lokayuktas in states and would move an amendment.

Amid the party's clear stand that it will not allow any tampering with the federal structure, the six Rajya Sabha members of Trinamool met at the residence of Union Minister Mukul Roy on Wednesday morning to discuss the issue ahead of the Bill coming up in the House.

Roy, the Minister of State for Shipping, later said that the party would move an amendment to the provision in the Lokpal which relates to Lokayuktas.

The provision should be modified, he said. The party has objection to the provision in the Bill which makes it mandatory for states to set up Lokayuktas.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukhjerjee on Tuesday night told Lok Sabha that the government was amending it to specify that the notification in this regard would not be issued without the consent of states.

However, the Trinamool Congress is waiting to see the language in this regard in the Bill as it wants it clearly specified.

A Trinamool MP said his party does not support any move that will affect the federal structure.

"As so many amendments have been moved, we have to see in what form the bill is brought in the Rajya Sabha," he said,adding, "We are opposed to any tampering with the federal structure."

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