ISAS Briefs

India's much -anticipated Lokpal Bill (designed to set up an ombudsman) was introduced in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of par liament) on 29 December 2011, but the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had to beat an ignominious retreat as it could not gather enough numbers in the house for the passage of the bill. Earlier the bill was in fact passed by the more powerful Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament), but both houses are now adjourned. It is possible that the government may send the bill and all the suggested amendments to a parliamentary committee for consideration before reintroducing it in the next session of pa rliament.