New Delhi: The much-awaited Lokpal Bill to probe corruption in high offices including possibly that of the Prime Minister was today (Oct 27, 2004) deferred at a meeting of the Union Cabinet as it was felt that more discussion was needed.

"The issue was discussed at the meeting which decided to defer it as more discussions are needed," official sources said after the meeting presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The sources said another reason for taking up the bill at a later date was the absence of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ramvilas Paswan and Petroleum Minister Mani Shanker Aiyer at the Cabinet meeting today.

The Prime Minister had recently stated that his office should come within the ambit of Lokpal.