PM calls on President, discusses Lokpal Bill

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today and discussed the efforts being made by the government to resolve differences with civil society activists on the proposed Lokpal Bill.
The meeting which lasted about 35 minutes, came as the top leadership of the UPA met at the Prime Minister’s residence this morning to discuss the situation arising out of the unprecedented support to civil rights activist Anna Hazare whose fast against corruption and changes in the Lokpal Bill entered the fourth day today. The Prime Minister also discussed with the President various issues of “national and international importance”, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said. They also discussed the President’s upcoming visit to Mauritius. “The Prime Minister briefed the President about the efforts being made by the government to resolve the differences with the civil society activists on the proposed Lokpal Bill,” the communique said.