LIVE: Team Anna burns Lokpal draft, challenges govt

The Lokpal Bill will be in the Parliament for the ninth time on Thursday but it is yet to see the light of the day due to the elusive consensus among different stakeholders. In the last few months, endless discussions took place between the civil society and the government with each party blaming the other for creating an imperfect draft. From lawyers to social activist and to the citizens in general the constitution of a strong Lokpal is what they desire. Will the Parliament deliver this time or are we going into another series of rhetorics and protests. Time to watch the Lok Sabha live lest it is not adjourned midway.

Live Updates

(During the Parliament lunch break)

• Anna Hazare: Bring all government officers and employees under Lokpal

• Anna Hazare: The intention of the government is not clean

• Anna Hazare: Burn govt draft in every village

• Team Anna burns government’s Lokpal Bill draft in protests

• Team Anna: Lokpal Bill anti-poor and anti-common man

• Team Anna: Withdraw government draft

Watch Prashant Bhushan explain Team Anna’s arguments against the governemnt’s Lokpal Bill

• SPEAKER ANNOUNCES LUNCH BREAK

1312 hrs Lokpal

• BJP and NDA object

• Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by Narayanaswamy

• Minister of State in PMO V Narayanasamy said: “Ultimately this bill will go to the Standing Committee. Your objection cannot be sustained”

• Swaraj — As per the Constitution, everybody was equal and there is no immunity from IPC, CrPC or the Prevention of Corruption Act.

• Swaraj questions why the Prime Minister is not under the purview of the Lokpal since the Prime Minister does not enjoy immunity from prosecution under the criminal law and Prevention of Corruption Act

1300 hrs: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj speaks on Lokpal draft.

• Just before introduction of the bill, Speaker Meira Kumar allows Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj to express her views as a special case under Rule 72.