New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the key recommendations made by the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha to the Lokpal Bill.

According to reports, the Union Cabinet gave its nod following discussions on the key amendments proposed to the anti-graft legislation by the Select Committee.

After the Cabinet's approval, the amendments will be put to vote in the Rajya Sabha.

The amended Lokpal bill will make it mandatory for the states to set up their own lokayuktas, or anti-corruption ombudsmen, within a year of the bill coming into effect.

Following the recommendations, political parties will be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal. However, religious and charitable institutions, including non-governmental organisations aided by the government, will be exempted.

But differences remain on several recommendations. The government has disagreed with the select committee's view that the power to transfer CBI officials should rest with the Lokpal and not the investigative agency.