Discussion on the issues relating to the setting up of Lokpal is underway in Lok Sabha.

Leader of the house Pranab Mukherjee began the discussions with a suo moto statement on the floor.

He in his speech outlined at breadth various sequence of events that has happened in the build up to the discussion in Lok Sabha on Lokpal bill.

He told in detail what this government has done till date that has enabled the Lokpal bill to be laid in Lok Sabha.

Pranab Mukherjee said the bill is awaiting consensus inside the Parliament for over 43 years.

Pranab added that the country is standing at crossroads and we need to find solution to the problem within constitutional framework without violating the supremacy of the parliament. He said this is one of the rare occasions when the attention of the entire nation and outside is drawn to proceeding of Lok Sabha.

Pranab Mukherjee beginning his speech appealed to Anna Hazare to end his fast.

He also talked about the working of the joint drafting committee, response to the drafting process from various political parties, the introduction of Lokpal Bill in the Parliament and subsequent sending it to the standing committee of the Parliament.

Pranab Mukherjee said that government all through has followed established procedures in introducing the Lokpal bill.

The three key demands of Mr Hazare are — appointment of Lokayukta in states, bringing lower bureaucracy in the ambit of the proposed Lokpal Bill and citizens’charter in all offices to make officials work in a time-bound manner.