History was made as parliament on Saturday debated the Jan Lokpal proposal of Anna Hazare and his supporters, even as finance minister Pranab Mukherjee appealed to the Gandhian to end his fast which has entered 12th day now.

Both houses of parliament began debating the matter after Mukherjee made identical statements in each of them. He said. "We are at a crossroads." Stating that "all of us want the agitation to end", he appealed Anna to end his fast, now that his preliminary condition -- that parliament debate his three conditions -- was met.

He also maintained that the anti-corruption activists should abide by the constitution and any solution will have come from within the constitution.

Anna's three conditions are (1) simultaneous appointment of lokayuktas in those states that don't have the institution - along with the Lokpal at centre, (2) adoption of a citizen's charter, and (3) including thr lower bureacracy within the ambit of the proposed anti-graft body, as it is corruption at the lower rungs which hurts the common man the most.

Anna's conditions and text his letter to PM: read more here

Mukherjee said that while no immediate commitment was possible, "after deliberations are over, we can arrive at a consensus that reflects the sentiments of the house".

Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad (RJD) accused the government of violating the rules, as the matter of Lokpal was before the Standing Committee and  therefore Anna's three demands should also be discussed only within that panel. 

Govt wants Par to consider Anna's 3 demands

[PTI] Observing that the nation was at a "crossroads" in view of Anna Hazare's campaign, government today asked Parliament to consider the Gandhian's three key demands on Lokpal Bill within Constitutional framework and by preserving Parliament's supremacy.

Making identical statements in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to form the basis for a debate, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the issues raised by Hazare are "important" and "genuine" which "deserve our serious consideration".

As Hazare's fast entered 12th day, Mukherjee said the situation was "moving out of hand" and "crisis" had been created as he asked lawmakers to "seize the moment and demonstrate the commitment" in dealing with corruption which is "gnawing at the vitals of our polity".

He said Parliament needed to discuss (i) whether the jurisdiction of the Lokpal should cover all employees of the Central government, (ii) whether it will be applicable through the institution of the Lok Ayukta in all states, and (iii) whether the Lokpal should have the power to punish all those who violate the 'grievance redressal mechanism' to be put in place.

These are the aspects that Hazare and his team are demanding to be included in the Lokpal Bill.

"In case a consensus emerges at the end of the discussions, the Standing Committee will, in the course of their deliberations, take into account their practicability, implementability and constitutionality.

"For, everything that we do, must be consistent with the principles enshrined within our constitutional framework," Mukherjee said.