The Lok Sabha passed a landmark bill for creation of Lokpal last night with the government making it clear that setting up of Lokayuktas by the states would not be mandatory.

It amended a provision in view of opposition from allies and others. But the Constitutional Amendment bill designed to confer constitutional status on the anti-corruption watchdog fell through, as the government failed to get two-thirds support for it. After the defeat of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee called it a sad day for democracy.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 was approved after the government moved a few other key amendments, including keeping the Defence Forces and Coast Guard personnel out of the purview of the anti-graft ombudsman and increasing the exemption time of former MPs from five to seven years.

A number of amendments moved by Opposition, including Corporate, Media and NGOs receiving donations, were defeated.

Samajwadi Party and BSP staged a walkout, protesting against their demands not being met.

Intervening in over 10-hour debate, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked opposition parties to rise above partisan politics to demonstrate to the people of the country that this house means business in its effort to combat corruption.

Dr. Singh also made it clear that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is independent of government interference and rejected the opposition demand to bring it under Lokpal.

He also responded to criticism that the present legislation allegedly interferes with states’ powers, and noted that federalism cannot be an impediment in the anti-graft fight.

Winding up the day long debate, the Leader of the Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that it had opposed the dialogue with Anna Hazare and his associates, but later on shared the stage with him.

Pointing out that the Lokpal Bill was prepared after consultations with the civil society and political parties, Mr. Mukherjee said that the Government received different opinions from different parties. Refuting the allegations that the Government was hastening the Bill, he said that the UPA wanted to convey the message that it should take action on the issue of corruption. Mr. Mukherjee said that there is nothing wrong in Team Anna staging a protest while Parliament was debating the Lokpal Bill.

Talking about the Lokayukta, he said without the consent of the state governments, it will not be implemented. He said that Armed Forces will not come under the ambit of the Lokpal because Armed Forces are covered under other acts.