PM under Lokpal bill's ambit

The Lokpal drafting committee meetings have come to a deadlock on the question of including the PM under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal bill.While the government is opposed to including the PM ,the civil society members insist on including the PM also under the ambit of the Lokpal bill. The civil society members are trying to make the bill fool proof, by plugging many possible loopholes.This is obviously a thorn in the flesh for the government side .Especially, they seek an amendment in the Prevention of Corruption Act to allow special judges to conduct trial of cases under the Lokpal on a day-to-day basis with no adjournments.They also insist on recording reasons for adjournments in writting, in case any adjournment is granted.They have also suggested constituting special benches to hear cases only under this Act and no other cases.While the civil society members are trying for stringent provisions in the Lokpal bill,the government is not serious in its intent for enacting a bill to stem the rot that is plaguing the nation.I agree with Mr.Shanthi Bhushan that the discussions at the Lokpal committe meeting should be aired,to enable the public to judge the conduct of both sides at the meeting in drafting such an important bill.If that happens,that would be a quantum leap towards transparency in governance.We often claim every body is equal before the eyes of law.But when it comes to the question of enacting a law to prevent corruption, we seek immunity for a sizeable population who are corrupt prone .This attitude form the government side is shocking to say the least.Most importantly government has not put forth convincing arguments to exclude MP's judiciary and PM from the purview of the act .When these people are left out who else will come under the purview of the act ?.Gone are the days when the judiciary was beyond reproach.The recent scams that have hit the nation makes it imperative that the provisions of the bill should be all pervasive .Strictly speaking any person getting government salary directly or indirectly should come under Lokpal purview.

It is believed that the government feels, if PM is brought under the purview of the Lokpal bill ,any one can undermine the office of the PM and it would be against national interests.This is true to some extent ,becuase most of our parties are politically expedient and for them the end justifies the means.But if one looks at it from another point of view, a PM with honesty,confirmed integrity and moral principles would come unscathed from the rigours of a stringent Lokpal bill. If we have a PM material with such exceptional calibre, no one would hesitate to include PM under the purview of the Lokpal bill.It must be remembered truth always triumphs.The hesitation to include PM under the purview of the bill would make the common man believe the PM could be vulnerable and susceptible to criticism, persuasion or temptation.Hence what I feel is that, the best legal brains in the country should find ways to strike a balance to protect the dignity of the PM's office as well as bring him under the purview of the Lokpal bill,in the event of some specific triggers or instances .One can also go to the extreme and pose a query what would happen if the Lokpal becomes corrupt and is influenced by the government of the day .It can not be ruled out in our nation. Anything can happen in our nation.But man lives on hopes.One sincerely hopes that would not happen and we would not ask foxes to guard the hens .