Activist on fast unto death
New Delhi: Ignoring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's plea, noted social worker Anna Hazare began his fast-unto-death here on Tuesday in demand of a strong anti-corruption bill with civil society participation in its making.
Hazare began his fast at Jantar Mantar as common people vocal against corruption poured in to support him.
Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister had urged him to desist from his planned fast-unto-death in demand of enactment of Jan Lokpal Bill to curb the menace.
Anna Hazare, 72, on Monday said he would undertake a fast-unto-death from Tuesday since he was heart-broken by the rejection of the Prime Minister to include the civil society activists in the joint committee to draft the bill.
A Lokpal means an ombudsman to root out corruption at high places in the Indian polity.
The Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill), 2010 is now awaiting a select parliamentary committee's ascent.
It law can allow filing complaints of corruption against the Prime Minister, ministers and all lawmakers.
But Hazare and his associates demand a Jan Lokpal Bill (Public Ombudsman Bill) drafted by them, incorporating the opinions and suggestions of the common people.
Under the banner of India Against Corruptioon, retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi and social worker Swami Agnivesh have teamed up with Hazare who has been advocating for the Jan Lokpal Bill, pointing that institutions like Lokpal and Lokayukta are better placed to investigate corruption charges against politicians since the government investigating bodies are controlled by politicians and hence, cannot function independently.
In a statement Monday evening, the PM's office said it "has noted with deep disappointment that Shri Anna Hazare, the noted social worker, is still planning to go ahead with his planned hunger strike."
"Shri Hazare and his colleagues had met the Prime Minister, the Law Minister and other senior officials on March 7, 2011. During the discussion that last more than one hour, the Prime Minister had told the group that 'I appreciate and share your concern on corruption.'"
The PM said Hazare and his group had presented him a draft of their proposal on a Lokpal.
The Prime Minister said he offered and the group accepted a suggestion that a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers could interact and discuss the draft with the civil society activists.
"The Sub-Committee, headed by Shri A.K.Antony, met Shri Hazare’s colleagues but the interaction proved fruitless as the activists were insisting on the Government accepting their draft in full," the PM said.
"The Prime Minister has enormous respect for Shri Hazare and his mission," the statement said.
Anna Hazare is recognized for his contribution to the development of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and his efforts for establishing it as a model village.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992.
He is also one of the leading figures who championed the cause of Right to Information Act in India for his crusade towards fighting corruption in public offices
New Delhi: Ignoring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's plea, noted social worker Anna Hazare began his fast-unto-death here on Tuesday in demand of a strong anti-corruption bill with civil society participation in its making. Hazare began his fast at Jantar Mantar as common people vocal against...
New Delhi: Ignoring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's plea, noted social worker Anna Hazare began his fast-unto-death here on Tuesday in demand of a strong anti-corruption bill with civil society participation in its making.
Hazare began his fast at Jantar Mantar as common people vocal against corruption poured in to support him.
Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister had urged him to desist from his planned fast-unto-death in demand of enactment of Jan Lokpal Bill to curb the menace.
Anna Hazare, 72, on Monday said he would undertake a fast-unto-death from Tuesday since he was heart-broken by the rejection of the Prime Minister to include the civil society activists in the joint committee to draft the bill.
A Lokpal means an ombudsman to root out corruption at high places in the Indian polity.
The Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill), 2010 is now awaiting a select parliamentary committee's ascent.
It law can allow filing complaints of corruption against the Prime Minister, ministers and all lawmakers.
But Hazare and his associates demand a Jan Lokpal Bill (Public Ombudsman Bill) drafted by them, incorporating the opinions and suggestions of the common people.
Under the banner of India Against Corruptioon, retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi and social worker Swami Agnivesh have teamed up with Hazare who has been advocating for the Jan Lokpal Bill, pointing that institutions like Lokpal and Lokayukta are better placed to investigate corruption charges against politicians since the government investigating bodies are controlled by politicians and hence, cannot function independently.
In a statement Monday evening, the PM's office said it "has noted with deep disappointment that Shri Anna Hazare, the noted social worker, is still planning to go ahead with his planned hunger strike."
"Shri Hazare and his colleagues had met the Prime Minister, the Law Minister and other senior officials on March 7, 2011. During the discussion that last more than one hour, the Prime Minister had told the group that 'I appreciate and share your concern on corruption.'"
The PM said Hazare and his group had presented him a draft of their proposal on a Lokpal.
The Prime Minister said he offered and the group accepted a suggestion that a sub-committee of the Group of Ministers could interact and discuss the draft with the civil society activists.
"The Sub-Committee, headed by Shri A.K.Antony, met Shri Hazare’s colleagues but the interaction proved fruitless as the activists were insisting on the Government accepting their draft in full," the PM said.
"The Prime Minister has enormous respect for Shri Hazare and his mission," the statement said.
Anna Hazare is recognized for his contribution to the development of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and his efforts for establishing it as a model village.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992.
He is also one of the leading figures who championed the cause of Right to Information Act in India for his crusade towards fighting corruption in public offices
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