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Another section of civil society, led by UPA's National Advisory Council members, Ms Aruna Roy and Mr Harsh Mander, said there was still scope for changes in the Government Lokpal Bill, which leaves a lot to be desired.
While agreeing on the PM's inclusion under the Lokpal's ambit, Ms Roy and her organisation, the National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI), said there were serious flaws in the Jan Lokpal Bill, too, such as the inclusion of the higher judiciary.
Ms Roy said they had prepared a version of the Lokpal Bill and would present it before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Personnel, which sought suggestions on Saturday. The Bill can be changed, as experienced by us in the Right to Information Act, where 153 amendments were made later, she added.
On Mr Hazare's fast, she said, “We must assert our rights. But to get rid of democratic institutions would be a disaster for the people and the country. We must try and make them work.”
Mr Mander said there were ways within our Constitutional framework and Parliament to iron out differences.
Mr Justice A.P. Shah said the Judical Accountability Bill required changes but bringing the higher judiciary under Lokpal would amount to smashing the basic structure of the Constitution that granted it independence.
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