Extending an olive branch to anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, whose fast-unto-death entered the third day on Thursday, the Union government began negotiations with his representatives and even agreed to some of their demands.
While the government said it would set up an informal joint committee for drafting the Lokpal Bill, Mr. Hazare is demanding that it be officially notified to ensure legal validity. Also, there is no consensus on who will head the committee.
Union Minister Kapil Sibal, on being deputed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, met Mr. Hazare's representatives — RTI campaigner Arvind Kejriwal and social activist Swami Agnivesh — twice during the day.
After the first round of talks, both parties stuck to their positions but later ironed out some of the differences.
While the government agreed to form a joint draft committee for the Bill but without notifying it due to “technical reasons,” the two negotiators wanted it officially notified.
Similarly, while the government wanted Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to lead the committee, the activists wanted Mr. Hazare to head it.
However, the two negotiators later said the committee should be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.
“We had two rounds of constructive discussions…we need more time. We will meet again tomorrow [Friday]…we can evolve a procedure with which we can move ahead,” Mr. Sibal told journalists after the meetings.
The government was ready to form a joint committee immediately, comprising five members each from the government and civil society, and also introduce the Lokpal Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament, he said.
Later, Mr. Kejriwal told The Hindu: “The government has agreed to speed up the entire process and leave out Ministers from the committee who are busy with elections.”
Asked why they were adamant on official notification of the committee, he said: “It has to have some legal sanctity…It was needed to ensure that the government does not make a fool of us.”
Keywords: Anna Hazare fast, Lokpal bill, Swami Agnivesh
WOW, the second Gandhi at last arrives. We must welcome Anna Hazare's movement and take part in this historic act.
Corrpution is not only in government but also the businessmen and industrialists are corrupt. That's why so far no businessmen has joined this protest by Anna Hazare except the common public. I hope this movement become a success one and the corruption is errupted out of Indian system and the world see that it is the common man who makes difference and not the government and businessmen alone
I thought, Anna Hazare's protest is just like another protest but turned out be different from others. I think it's all because of democracy which forced the govt to have talks with activists. Moreover, Govt has agreed upon one of their demands too - which happens very rarely. It clearly shows us the power of DEMOCRACY. It's of people, by people, and for people.
I think a better way to fight corruption would be to get the real estate transactions be regularized so that most of the black money transactions are stopped. We should also focus on poverty. Few people of blocking all the money denying basic necessities to millions. When India won a world cup everybody started pouring money to all the cricketers as though they were deprived. It would have been great if those agencies immediately started a new project to help the people who really need it. Its time we go back to our original roots. Indians are hailed as spiritual and good people all over the world and we ignore the well being of our own people. At least there should be a way all these people who take bribes start giving percentage to a charity. I see lot of people pour money to temples instead it would be better used if they donated the money for a good cause. I hope someday we all Indians wake up and start living upto our reputation as the spirituals.
Anti-corruption crusader by Anna Hazare should be supported by all concerned.In Tamil Nadu, non-politicians who have voice, should raise their voice in support of this cause. Mr. Rajini who can to some extent influence the commons, can openly support Mr. Hazare's cause.
Educationists and NGO's should come out with open statements. Awareness should be created particularly among youths who will rule this country in future. Media plays a vital role.
Anna Hazare at the age of 78 not fasting to death for himself. He is fasting for the future of every Indian. Electrifying atmosphere at Parliment Street has proved that this Anti Corruption Movement is of every Indian and he is not alone. Being a student i'd like request with every Indian to be a part of this movement. Take off from your office/school/college/institute or work and reach Jantar Mantar if possible.
I am resident of USA for 35 yrs but still holding an Indian passport. My love for my country of birth can not be put into words.News of unending corruption coming out of India would cause me to put my head down in shame.Anna Hazare has risen to decapitate this monster,corruption.Least we can do is to support this humble visionary in any manner we can.Our history is replete with such great personalities who have risen to answer the call of our motherland.Let us not let them down and pledge that we shall not rest till all the money stolen from the treasury is recovered and those responsible politicians and beurocrats are brought to justice.
In our democracy where there is overwhelming poverty and corruption due to our deficiency of natural resources and inherited customs, majority of people face corruption on a daily basis.On top of all this politicians harbouring dreams of becoming millionaire in one term are adding misery to the people at the bottom of our society.Without an honest approach and strict discipline the day is not far away when we may have to succumb against the might of China and all. I think success behind the Anna Hazare fast is his simple and honest looking approach.I have full faith in democracy and i dont support blackmailing and all but our system is far from perfect.
The promises of Indian political class in general and the current UPA Government in particular have lost their value on Indian polity.More so if it is concerning graft or sleaze. It is bad for democracy.Indian political parties have to be blamed for this sorry state of affairs. This particular crusade by Anna Hazare has laid bare the fact that how badly people of India, from all walks of life and age, loath politicians.May be it is time the Indian politicians learn a lesson and the political parties select right candidates.
I fully support Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement uniting the public to fight against corruption under the banner of Lokpal Bill. However I do not agree with his view that the 'Bill will bring the corruption in India under control' mainly for the following reasons:
The Lokpal Bill mainly aims at stringently punishing handful of those politicians, higher-up bureaucrats, however it will not deter the average people engaging in corruption and making substantial amount of money, which we see every day all around us. They form the overwhelming majority who engage in all forms of corruption and the total of money amount involved far greater. However they never can be caught or convicted under the Lokpal Bill because, corruption mostly leaves no concrete evidences or records of the crime. So even if they caught on the corruption charges, they will mostly set free by the courts mainly for the lack of substantial corruption evidence and those people know it very well. Of course they also have enough corruption money to fight in the court.
If you really want to deter the majority of the people form engaging in corruption, first of all you should make sure that the concrete evidence of every corruption crime (basically illicit money transaction) gets recorded every time and everywhere when it happens.Having the corruption evidence in record will mostly deter every one engaging in corruption due to the potential danger of having their corruption evidence in record, based on which they can be arrested in any time convicted and sent to long years in prison under. The corruption investigating public institutions like Lolpal can play a leading role in it.
Therefore, if you want to eradicate corruption first of all the Government should bring in the modern monetary technology that Keeps the RECORDS every ongoing money transaction. Here is the two most essential anti-corruption monetary measures to achieve it.1. Replace cash money with mandatory electronic (e)money transaction. 2. bring in mandatory biometric identity in every bank account. In one sentence, replace the cash money transaction with the mandatory electronic (e)money transaction with biometric identity in every bank account.
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