The Government on Sunday has agreed to make the audio recordings of JanLokpal drafting committee meetings available to public. With this move the debate between the government and Anna Hazare’s team will be out in the public domain after a month the parliament finally decided to enact an effective Lokpal. This will bring transparency and restore people’s faith in the government. However sources say that only selective portion of committee proceedings will be exhibited. Elements not encroaching on the jurisdiction or working of the Parliamentary Standing Committee presently analyzing the bill will be made available whereas nothing that will embarrass the government will be made public.

 The Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) had earlier refused to produce the negotiations of the Committee in public domain for the reason that Law Ministry’s nod is required. The changed situation is in consequence of RTI application that was filed by Subhash Agarwal, who required all the details, mainly the audio recordings of the closed door meeting that happened between Team Anna Hazare and the 5 members of the cabinet who formed the joint committee to finalize the Lokpal Bill. The Government’s move was welcomed by Anna Hazare.

Government to release recordings of Lokpal proceedings

Report by Lydia Chitra Jacob