Anna writes to PM, calls Government’s Lokpal Bill a joke

Mangalore Today / NDTV

New Delhi, July 19:  In a letter to the Prime Minister, activist Anna Hazare has said the government’s version of the Lopkal Bill is "a joke on the nation."

 

 

The Lokpal Bill is meant to usher in a new law to combat corruption among politicians and bureaucrats. After months of trying to develop a common blueprint, the government and activists like Mr Hazare were unable to reconcile their differences. Each team produced its own version of the Bill.

The  drafting committee had combined five ministers and five activists led by Mr Hazare.   They  had polarized opinions on even basics like how to select the 11 members of the Lokpal (the ombudsman) or whether the Bill should cover the Prime Minister’s office.

A few weeks ago, the government called an all-party meeting to discuss its draft of the Bill - the points of difference with Team Anna were reduced to footnotes, according to activists.

Mr Hazare, who is 74, has threatened to begin a hunger strike starting August 16.  In April this year, his first fast for the Lokpal Bill provoked tremendous goodwill and support in cities across the country.  As a result, the government agreed that the committee that wrote the bill would include, for the first time, non-elected representatives.