Lokpal Bill: Anna continues fast; compromise likely

Last Updated: Saturday, April 09, 2011, 00:02

Tags: Lokpal Bill, Anna Fast, Compromise Likely

Lokpal Bill: Anna continues fast; compromise likely

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: “We have sent the final draft of the Lokpal Bill to the government. It will respond to the draft tomorrow,” said social activist Anna Hazare on Friday evening, adding that his fast unto death will continue for the time being.

Even as Anna addressed the public there were indications of progress in talks with the government with the emissaries of the veteran Gandhian on the proposed formation of a committee for drafting the Lokpak Bill. The emissaries said that Anna will soon convey his decision to the people, something which should make them happy. This announcement was made after another round of talks with the government on Friday evening.

The government started talks with the civil society leaders after Anna Hazare became the catalyst of a mass movement against corruption with his fast-unto-death to demand a stringent anti-corruption bill.

"We are going with the (government's) draft to Anna (Hazare), who will take the decision and announce further... I can only say that you will be happy to hear it (the decision). I can only give this indication," Swami Agnivesh told reporters after talks with Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Friday evening.

Social activists Swami Agnivesh, Arvind Kejriwal and former top cop Kiran Bedi earlier held their third round of talks with Sibal, the government's representative, following the initiation of dialogue on Thursday.

"In the afternoon, we received one draft from the government. We sent our draft. We came here to discuss it. The government (then) gave another draft, which we are taking to Anna for the final decision," he said.

The government has agreed to form a joint committee to draft a new bill and also have an equal number of representatives from the government and civil society on the panel.

However, there has been no consensus on who would head it and whether an official notification would be issued on the formation of the committee.

In the evening, Anna Hazare announced that joint panel will have two chairpersons, but continued to remain adamant on the notification.

With IANS Inputs

First Published: Saturday, April 09, 2011, 00:02

Comments

Pradipta Bhakta - Muscat
At the outset I must thank Anna Hazare and people of India for pressurizing corrupt Congress Govt to bend to their knees in getting the bill accepted. I don`t feel this is a win against corruption, rather I shall say a partial win with compromise. How can corrupt ministers like Pranab Mukherjee with such tainted past of bribing and cash for vote who led Anderson to flee India be allowed to head such a committee? This is like appointing a Congress watchdog in an anti-corruption body who will put obstacle to each and every scam revelation by allowing cover ups. Just tell me one thing what anti-corruption move Pranab has led? I suspected this from the beginning seeing Agnibesh in the main body who is a master manipulator and famous for sabotage with Maoist sympathy. When a Gandhian is fighting a non-cooperation movement, how can a supporter of violent mass murdering movement killing so many innocent people be allowed to remain in the stage with Anna Hazare? Would Gandhiji have supported or allowed this to happen? I really cannot digest this association as like Medha Patekar in this movement.

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rakesh jain - oman
I sincerely regret and withdraw the comments posted a while ago inadvertantly stating that `` A Raja, Sharad Pawar and Suresh Kalmadi be hanged without trial``. I only wish the Indian law should take strickest action against the corrupt polititions (no matter how influenctial they are) even to the extent of sending them to the gallows, if convicted. Rakesh Jain, Muscat

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RAJAT KUMAR MOHINDRU - JALANDHAR CITY .PUNJAB
The determination of the masses paved way for the Government to bow to the demands of Social Activist Mr Anna Hazare in regard to the anti corruption Drive through the Lok Pal Bill . The issue was very sensitive when Mr Anna Hazare went on indefinite Fast unto death and pressurised the Government for early draft of Lok Pal Bill . It is really the victory of the Masses for corruption free enviornment in future and positive and healthy development of the Nation .