Lokpal Debate: PM defends bill

New Delhi: Here are the highlights of what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said during the debate on the Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha:

• The nation awaits with bated breath how the collective wisdom will be reflected

• Task of legislation is very serious business and must eventually be performed by all of us who have been constitutionally assigned to do this

• Others can persuade and have their voices heard but decision must rest with us

• We have seen how public anger has manifested itself in the last year

• We have held a wide range of consultations

• We have been enriched by wisdom of political parties and by all shades of opinions that have been taken into account

• We believe in transparent, open governance

• We have been working in last year on landmark and unprecedented pieces of legislation (like Charter's Bill)

• We have given landmark bill to fight corruption

• Our laws must be all-pervasive if we are genuine in our endeavour

• Corruption is corruption, whether in union or in states

• Federalism can't be an impediment in the war against corruption

• Ask leaders to rise above partisan politics

• CBI should function without government interference but no individual or organization should be free from accountability

• Today, we are led to believe government directly elected by the people cannot be trusted

• No entity should be created inconsistent with the Constitution or without proper accountability

• CBI should function independently of Lokpal and independently of government but independence does not mean absence of accountability. So selection of CBI director by Leader of Opposition, Chief Justice and PM

• Government believes that placing the CBI under the Lokpal will create executive structure outside of Parliament which is accountable to none.

• During the course of this debate, the bureaucracy has been at the receiving end

• But I must express my deep appreciation for many a public servant who has shown exemplary integrity in discharging duties in atmosphere of distrust. All public functionaries should not be painted with the same brush.

• Rampant distrust of all authority imperils foundation of democracy

• Let us not create something which will destroy we all cherish