Live! Sec 24 of Lokpal Bill that can prosecute MPs may be axed

17:23 This is Vishal Dadlani's take on the Lokpal Bill on twitter: Whatever else you may think, anyone with any sense must realise that india needs a fair and strong Lok Pal Bill. And only we can make it so.

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17:20 Yoko Ono coming to India for 'inspiration':

TMC's Kalyan Banerjee talking in Parliament and Vishal Dadlani takes the stage at the MMRDA grounds. Seems like Dadlani is singing, so, here's something more interesting...

Yoko Ono believes Bollywood has a lot to teach the world and says she will be looking for 'inspiration' in India when she holds an exhibition in New Delhi next month.

The avant-garde artist, musician and widow of Beatles singer John Lennon will visit the capital for an art show that opens on January 13. The Japanese-born Ono, 78, told the Hindustan Times newspaper in an email interview from her New York home that she hoped to get more out of her coming trip than on a previous India visit she made with Lennon.

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17:14 Indo-Pak pre-notification of ballistic missile tests pact signed:

Just in: India, Pakistan agree to extend accord on pre-notification of ballistic missile tests by five years; the pact was to expire in 2012.

Senior Indian and Pakistani officials yesterday began two-day talks on nuclear and conventional confidence-building measures in Islamabad as part of the peace process between the two countries.

This is the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on nuclear and conventional CBMs since October 2007 though other officials, including the two foreign secretaries, have discussed these issues in recent meetings in Islamabad and New Delhi, diplomatic sources said.

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17:11 On twitter: Supriya Sule opposing corruption is like Rahul G opposing dynasty politics.

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17:09 PM: Unless Lokayuktas are put in place, the cancer of corruption will spread.

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17:06

The PM also said there has been public anger against corruption over the last four years, but all politicians are not corrupt. He says that all systems of governance must be based on trust.

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17:00 Section 24 may be dropped from Lokpal Bill: Section 24 likely to be dropped from the Lokpal Bill. That's the huge sticking point from an united opposition since it allows prosecution of MPs. Section 24 of the bill allows presiding officers to act on the basis of a Lokpal report even before a trial is completed. The Lok Sabha Speaker or Chairman of Rajya Sabha is required to table the Lokpal report and inform Lokpal about the action being taken - or not taken - against the members concerned.

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16:56

PM: CBI should work independently of Lokpal, but should be accountable. Lokpal is a judicious bill and supports and independent CBI.

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16:54 PM defends Lokpal Bill: India is looking at Parliament with bated breath and waits for the Bill to be passed.

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16:51 PM: Show India that the House means business: The PM says the Parliament must keep public anger in mind and keep partisan politics at bay and pass the Lokpal Bill. "We must show the country that the House means business," says Dr Singh. He says legislation is a serious business and must always rest with the Parliament.

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16:48 Amendment to Lokpal Bill meet at 5.30 pm:

BTW, the Congress Core Group is to meet at 5.30 pm to discuss the amendments to the Lokpal Bill. One change expected can be that states can appoint their own Lokayukta.

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16:46 PM: Believe in transparent, open governance:

In Parliament, the PM is speaking. Says the government tabled the Bill because we are confident that it reflects the sense of the House. Says the government is open to other voices, but the decision must remain with us (the Parliament). The PM says the government believes in transparent legislation.

Goes on to give a rundown of the government's anti-graft legislations.

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16:41 An Anna gem: Seema Goswami on Twitter: Now Anna targets infertile women. "How can a barren woman understand the pain of childbirth?" Such sensitivity.