New Delhi, June 29 (IANS)  Manmohan Singh is ready to come under the ambit of the Lokpal but a final decision on the issue would be taken by his cabinet colleagues, said one of the editors who attended a media interaction with the prime minister Wednesday.

 
 "We have discussed this matter in the cabinet. I for one have no hesitation in bringing myself under the purview. But there are cabinet colleagues of mine, who said Sir, this is not your personal concern. We are legislating for the people of India," the editor quoted Manmohan Singh as ssaying in reply to a question.
 
 "There are many members of the cabinet feel strongly that bringing the institution of the prime minister (under the Lokpal), will create an element of instability, which at times, can go out of hand," Manmohan Singh said.
 
 He expressed hope that "sense will prevail, and we would still work to find a way out".
 
 "Also, the prime minister of India is equally covered by the anti-corruption act. One can dismiss the prime minister of India most easily. All that is necessary is for parliament to pass a vote of no-confidence," he said.
 
 The prime minister also agreed that the Lokpal bill was needed, even though it was not a "panacea".
 
 "I recognize we need this Lokpal bill. Even though I don't believe Lokpal is a panacea," Manmohan Singh said.
 
 He also said that view of all political parties needed to be taken in account. He also said that the Lokpal, as proposed by activist Anna Hazare, will strain the system.
 
 "Also, if we enlarge the mandate, the way the Anna Hazare group wants it - they want (to cover) 15,000 people, independent of the existing intelligence and prosecuting agencies. If we want to cover every single civil servant of our country - centre and states - I worry whether the system will be able to stand the strain," he said.