Parliament Panel adopts Lokpal draft, 16 MPs dissent

In a major twist, Congress MP from Madhya Pradesh's Mandsour Meenakshi Natarajan, who is a close associate of party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, demanded that Group C employees and the CVC be included in the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.

Two Congress MPs, PT Thomas and Deepa Dasmunsi also supported Natarajan's demand. Deepa Dasmunsi did a U-turn as last time she had disagreed and said that Group C should be left out. However, in Wednesday's meeting,she demanded the inclusion of Group C under the ambit of Lokpal.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad also gave a dissent note, asking for reservation in Lokpal.

Parliament Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that several MPs had submitted their dissenting notes.

"Individual members can express their views. It's a view, it has been taken in account," said Singhvi.

Singhvi also said that he was not surprised that Team Anna had rejected the final draft.

"If Team Anna is not happy with Lokpal draft or any other draft apart from Jan Lokpal why have the Parliament or the Standing Committee altogether. I am not surprised? If any changes including comma or full stop had been made to their Jan Lokpal Bill, they would have reacted in the same way," said Singhvi.

The Congress MP added that there is no dissent on the report as such, but dissent on certain issues.

Even as Team Anna presses for the inclusion of the CBI under Lokpal, reports say that the CBi has been kept out in the Standing Committee's draft. Sources have said that the CBI does not want to be controlled by the Lokpal.

Sources say that the CBI feels this can affect the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts.