Zee Media Bureau
Ralegan Siddhi: As celebrations broke out at Anna Hazare`s fast venue in Ralegan Siddhi after Lokpal Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, social activist Anna Hazare thanked both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
However, he added that he would like to thank all the parties except the Samajwadi Party for passing of the anti-corruption legislation.
“Though the bill will not be able to curb corruption completely, it will be able to control it by 40-50 percent and will help the poor get justice,” he said.
Anna also said that steps should be taken to ensure that the bill should become a law before the 2014 General Elections.
The social activist also said that it was the Parliament`s Select Committee which strengthened the anti-corruption legislation and made the changes as per the needs of the people.
Anna also said that there was no source of foreign funding for the agitation. He also said that people contributed Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 20 as per their capacity for the cause.
“No foreign funds were given for the agitation. We will soon publish the details of the contributions online,” he said.
He further added that his name must not be used for personal gains.
The bill, which got passed in the Lok Sabha today, was pending in the Rajya Sabha for almost two years as opposition members had reservations on the draft passed by the Lok Sabha in December 2011.
A select committee had examined the bill in detail and given its recommendations, many of which were incorporated by the government in the amended bill tabled in the Rajya Sabha last week.
The Lokpal bill has hogged national limelight after activist Anna Hazare led a massive protest involving hundreds of thousands in the capital in 2011.
