Lok Pal Bill won't include PM

Despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's insistence that his post be brought under the purview of Lok Pal Bill, the move has been rejected by the Union Cabinet.

The Cabinet, which met a couple of days back, has deferred a decision on the Bill but has overruled a proposal for inclusion of the Prime Minister in the measure, sources said.

A legislation on the Lok Pal, the ombudsman empowered to go into corruption and mal-administration, has been pending for a long time. It is a watchdog institution to ensure probity in governance.

Over the years, opinion is divided on whether the post of Prime Minister should be brought under the purview of the proposed Lok Pal.

A minister said that the Cabinet was unanimous in its opposition to the inclusion of the Prime Minister in the Bill.

After some discussion at the Cabinet meeting, the Bill has been referred to the Law Minister for examination as certain legal aspects were raised.