Lokpal bill need relook:PM

Team of India Against Corruption (IAC)on Monday met PM said that the govt has no time to consider the issue of corruption till the 13th May due to the ongoing parliament session and forthcoming elections in five states. IAC representatives requested for an early action because the country was seething with anger and bleeding due to corruption.

The meeting last evening between representatives of IAC (Anna Hazare, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Swami Agnivesh, Archbishop Vincent, Dr Kuldip Chikara (Bharat Swabhimaan Nyasa), Darshak Hathi (Art of Living) and PV Rajagopal) and the PM and Law Minister, Veerapa Moily was not very encouraging.Mr Shanti Bhushan, senior lawyer and former Law Minister, told the Prime Minister that he had personally gone through the Jan Lokpal Bill and was convinced that if it were passed, it would have a huge impact on corruption within next five years.

After great persuasion, the PM agreed to bring some Lokpal bill in the monsoon session of parliament. The PM was informed that the bill drafted by Law ministry was extremely bad. Rather than curb corruption, it would encourage it. To this, Mr Moily suggested that a subcommittee of "Group of Ministers (GOM)" will be constituted which will have two meetings with representatives of IAC after the 13th of May. The GOM will draft the bill accordingly after the interaction. When Anna Hazare insisted that he would not wait for so long, the PM offered to have one “symbolic” meeting after 25th March when parliament session ends.

When he was requested to set up a joint committee consisting of half members from civil society and half from the government's side to prepare the draft Lokpal Bill by the 13th May when the elections end, the govt simply refused.In the meeting, Anna Hazare pointed out that all talk about development and all expenditure thereon was meaningless and futile unless corruption was checked. People were very angry against corruption and the government better realized that. He pointed out that the whole country needs to immediately act against corruption. He said that it was unfortunate that the govt does not have time to address this burning issue. Anna Hazare has announced that the movement would continue and intensify. His decision to go on fast on the 5th April stands.

Official reports says:A group of Civil Society activists led by Shri Anna Hazare belonging to “India Against Corruption” initiative, met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday the 7th March 2011, evening. The group argued that the country expected meaningful reforms to tackle the menace of corruption in public life. The Prime Minister told the group that “I appreciate and share your concerns on corruption”.India Against Corruption representatives presented the Prime Minister a draft of their proposal on Lokpal. The group accepted the Prime Minster’s suggestion that a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers could interact and discuss the draft with the civil society activists.The Prime Minister also requested Shri Anna Hazare not to carry out his threat to go on a fast.
The “India Against Corruption” delegation consisted of:
1. Shri Anna Hazare
2. Shri Shanti Bhushan
3. Shri Prashant Bhushan
4. Ms. Kiran Bedi
5. Shri Arvind Kejriwal
6. Swami Agnivesh
7. Archbishop Vincent
8. Dr. Kuldip Chikara (Bharat Swabhimaan Nyasa)
9. Shri Darshak Hathi (Art of Living)
10. Shri P.V. Rajagopal
The Prime Minsiter was assisted by the Law Minister Shri Veerapa Moily and the MOS in PMO Shri V. Narayanasamy.