The Lokpal Bill that was presented in the Parliament earlier in the winter session, is still on the live register of the Rajya Sabha, pending its approval. The bill is expected to be brought again for consideration in the Upper House during the second phase of the Budget session of Parliament.

The Budget session-2012 began on Monday, today, with President Pratibha Patil addressing the joint sitting of members of both the Houses of Parliament and its second part will be held from April 24 to May 22. The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the winter session on December 27, 2011, but later a political war broke out between the government and the Opposition as the Bill could not be passed in the Upper House, with both sides accusing each other of carrying out a "well choreographed" chaos to scuttle it. The Opposition had charged the government with running away from a vote because of lack of majority in the House. The government had then stated that the bill was "alive" and would be taken up in the Budget session for passage.

The Opposition had charged the government with running away from a vote because of lack of majority in the House. The government had then stated that the bill was "alive" and would be taken up in the Budget session for passage.