Lokpal bill: what divides Team Anna and Govt

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New Delhi: The civil society representatives and the Government were able to settle some disputes on Monday, but new differences have emerged ahead of the final Lokpal Bill Drafting Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The Government has clarified that only one Lokpal Draft Bill will be sent on to the Cabinet, and both sides have admitted that crucial differences still remain and a consensus is unlikely ahead of Tuesday's final Lokpal meet.

So, what are the key points that divide the civil society representatives and the Government?

The divisive issues

The civil society wants the Prime Minister and higher judiciary covered under Lokpal. The Government agrees to bring the PM in the Lokpal ambit but with riders, and it is against bringing the higher judiciary under Lokpal.

Team Anna recommends removal of any minister barring the Prime Minister. The Government has partially given in on the issue and says Lokpal can prosecute ministers if prima-facie culpability established.

Civil society wants conduct of MPs in Parliament to be included but the Government is against it.

Team Anna wants the CBI, vigilance wing and CVC to be merged with the Lokpal, but the Government disagrees.

The activists want CAG and CEC to be part of Lokpal selection panel as they feel otherwise this would also become a political appointment, but the Government disagrees.

Team Anna wants all bureaucrats be included, but the Government agrees to bring only the higher bureaucracy under Lokpal cover.

Team Anna wants Lokpal to have prosecution powers and power to tap phones, but the Government disagrees on prosecution powers and also said Lokpal needs to take permission from Home Secretary on phone tapping

The civil society wants maximum life imprisonment, but the Government says the maximum imprisonment should be 10 years.

Team Anna wants all citizens empowered to refer complaints for removal of Lokpal to the Supreme Court, but the Government says only it should have the power to refer complaints against Lokpal to the apex court.