Debate on Jan Lokpal Bill unlikely today

The Lok Sabha was all set to debate three versions of the Lokpal Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the debate on the Jan Lokpal Bill is unlikely to take place today.

"I can't say anything, in today's schedule, nothing is mentioned. So, it'll be decided after the discussion. So, I can't say anything right now," Bansal told.

When asked about the last discussion that took place to end the impasse over the Lokpal Bill, Bansal said: "I was not part of that discussion, so I can't say anything."

Meanwhile, the Congress Party and the government has expressed concern that social activist Anna Hazare may not call off his fast even after the three versions of the Lokpal Bill are tabled.

Sources in the party and the government have reportedly revealed that they want an assurance from Team Anna that he will end his fast once the Bills are tabled.

On Thursday, Hazare placed three conditions before the government, which is inclusion of lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal bill, appointment of Lokayuktas in all states, and implementation of citizen's charter in government offices.

"If there is agreement on all these three issues then I can consider ending my fast, but not protest," he said.

"The fight against corruption must continue even after I die. The Prime Minister has appreciated our movement in the Parliament. I thank the parliamentarians, who appreciated the movement," said Hazare.

"The government sent one of its ministers to me. Prime Minister says he is worried about my health. Why did he take 10 days to think? Discussion should start on Lokpal from tomorrow in Parliament. Lokayukta must be brought under Lokpal. The lower bureaucracy must be brought under the ambits of Lokpal and the citizen's charter must be formed," he added.

Team Anna blames 'why the government took a U-turn on the issues'

 Team Anna feels that the Congress is divided over the Jan Lokpal Bill and believes that the party's internal politics forced the Government to take a U-turn. The Government called Team Anna at 1 am, said sources, and invited them for another round of talks on Today, after Wednesday night's talks ended on a bitter note.

Arvind Kejriwal on Today squarely blamed Union Ministers Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram for the breakdown.

"Sibal and Chidambaram strongly opposed the talks process. Perhaps that is why the government took a U-turn on the issues we had (earlier) agreed upon," Kejriwal said.

"We have become victims of internal politics of Congress. How many rounds of talks we have had with senior leaders like Kapil Sibal and Chidambaram but nothing has happened till now. Whom will we talk to?," he added.

The Government, after an all-party meet on Wednesday, said that parliamentary procedures can't be bypassed.

The Centre seemed to have hardened its stand during Wednesday night's talks with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying that due consideration would be given to Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill, echoing the resolution passed by an all-party meeting on Wednesday evening. "It's back to square one," said Kiran Bedi after the meeting.

Sources said if the Government doesn't agree, Team Anna will have no choice but to intensify its agitation.

Anna Hazare's is said to be feeling fine even as his fast enters the tenth day on Thursday.

He told supporters to continue protesting peacefully and to court arrest if he is forcibly taken to hospital.

But Delhi's Police Commissioner has allayed those apprehensions and said Anna Hazare would be taken out of the Ramlila Maidan only if the doctors attending to him advised hospitalisation.

Earlier, at the all-party meeting held at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 7 Race Course Road residence on Wednesday afternoon, the Government offered to make changes in the Lokpal Bill it has tabled in Parliament. But the entire Opposition wants the Government to withdraw its bill.

However, the Government said that there is no need for the withdrawal of the bill.

The Government has agreed that an amended Lokpal Bill will be tabled in Parliament but has refused to give any timeline for the final bill. The final bill will contain amendments suggested by Team Anna or any other group and the Prime Minister will be brought under the Lokpal's ambit.

The Lokpal will replace the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as the investigation agency for corruption cases and a citizens' charter will be included for redressal.

But two main sticking points remain: Lokayuktas for all states and inclusion of lower bureaucracy under the Lokpal.

Team Anna putting words in my mouth: Pranab

Accusing Team Anna of "distorting" facts about the meetings to resolve the Lokpal issue, the government on late Wednesday night said Parliamentary processes cannot be bypassed and the same was made clear to the activists after considering their proposals.

Rebutting the charge by Team Anna that there was a dramatic change in government's "tone" at the latest round of talks, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Team Anna had made certain demands at an earlier meeting with government representatives.

"Today, I informed them that government considered these proposals and it is not possible to do it," he told.

Mukherjee said Team Anna had demanded that the government Lokpal Bill will be withdrawn and the Jan Lokpal bill be introduced, it should not go through the Standing Committee and Parliament pass it within the Monsoon session.

Now that this distorted view has come, neither there is question of going back to square one nor there is change in government's attitude because if the government would have changed its attitude, there was no reason of resuming dialogue since yesterday," he said.

Mukherjee said he had told the activists that the Parliamentary Standing Committee can consider and make any amendments it wants and the process of Committee will be expedited and put on fast track.

Asked about Team Anna's remarks that Mukherjee had told them that Hazare's health condition was not the government's concern, the minister said, "They are putting words in my mouth.

"I am repeatedly making appeal (to Hazare to end his fast). I made the appeal yesterday, I made appeal today," the minister said. 

Anna Hazare's team is ready for direct political dialogue

According today report Anna Hazare said there is no reason why Parliament can't pass the Lokpal Bill within next two weeks and his team is ready for direct political dialogues with open minds.

Reiterating that negotiators should only be political, Hazare said, "If the Prime Minister puts Prithviraj Chavan as negotiator I will be more than happy. Lets start the process of direct political dialogues, we are with open minds". Downplaying the health concerns as his fast entered the eighth day on Tuesday, the 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader said, "My health is fine, I can continue like this for a week or more".

Troubled by reports of people drinking and turning rowdy at the Ramlila Maidan, Hazare said, "I appeal to supporters not to take law into their own hands".

Anna Hazare on Monday said that Lokpal Bill negotiations cannot happen with non-government mediators and added that he can talk with the Prime Minister's Office or Rahul. He also added that he was ready to talk with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

He said that no official mediator has approached him or his associates till now and also added that would not speak to anyone without the presence of his advisers.

Demanding that the Lokpal Bill introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government in Parliament be withdrawn immediately as it was weak and cannot fight the corruption menace, Hazare stated that state level Lokpal mechanism cannot be diluted.

Hinting at some flexibility on the issue of excluding judiciary under the Lokpal, Hazare said that this demand could be discussed during the talks. He, however, added that the Judicial Accountability Bill must be strengthened if judiciary has to be kept out of the Lokpal.

Congress: now calling Anna a hero

It is Day 5 social activist Anna Hazare's protest fast on Saturday and the 74-year-old was seen up and about early. there were fewer crowds at the Ramlila Maidan on Saturday morning but Anna's supporters reiterated they will keep the momentum going.

Fans braved the rains through the night and joined Anna on Saturday morning cutting across class, age and gender barriers. People were seen singing qawallis and also patriotic songs, keeping spirits high while at Anna's village Ralegan Siddhi villagers formed a human chain in support of his campaign.

Anna Hazare warned the government on Saturday that he will not leave the Ramlila maidan till the Jan Lokpal Bill is passed. Meanwhile, widely criticised over its handling of the Anna Hazare issue, pressure mounts on the UPA government to find a way out. The Centre considers debating a private member's Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

The Congress, now calling Anna a hero, has admitted that arresting him was a mistake. They want talks to resume. That's even as nine Opposition parties plan to protest on August 23, demanding a stronger lokpal bill.

After the initial ferocious attack on team Anna, Congress seems to be doing a u-turn now. Its gone soft on Anna, admitting that arresting him was a mistake and that talks should resume.

"It was a mistake to arrest Anna," said Sandeep Dikshit.

A first confession coming in from Congress that it messed up its Anna strategy and in a clear indication that the Congress thinks that if you cannot beat them, you might as well join them, so the warming up to Anna has begun.

This even as sources say backroom negotiations are being planned and some Maharashtra NGOs are to be used as channels.

But the pressure is not just from Anna. Opposition parties like Left, AIADMK are to protest on August 23 demanding a stronger Bill.

Rajeev Chadrashekhar and Varun Gandhi have already listed the Jan Lokpal Bill as a Private Members' Bill.

For now of course the government is waiting and watching hoping that Anna's srength will give way, the crowds will thin and the wave will end.

Nandan Nilekani: one way to fight against corruption is Jan Lokpal bill

The Lokpal bill which is before parliament is only one of the many ways of tackling the menace of corruption, said Nandan Nilekani, chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on taday.

 Nilekani said, "I think if we want to do something about corruption, we have to do it in a much broader manner, where the Lokpal bill just becomes one of many things,"

"I'm very much for removing corruption, but to say that this is the only way to do is very impractical," he said referring to activist Anna Hazare's demand for a stronger anti-corruption bill.

Parliament would decide on the shape of the bill and the protesters should work through that system, Nilekani said.

Corruption happens when people try to avail benefits like subsidised grains and pensions, he said.

"That is where an Aadhar ID comes in," he said referring to the unique identification the UIDAI will provide to every Indian citizen.

In the battle against corruption, the country needs more reforms, said the former chief executive officer of IT bellwether Infosys.

The need is to create more choices for the people for a variety of services, he said.

Nilekani explained that there was big ticket corruption when the state interfaces with business for large resources and land. "And there is the small ticket or retail corruption where millions of people interact with the state...."

Hazare has been demanding a Jan Lokpal bill which includes the prime minister, higher judiciary and the conduct of MPs inside parliament within the ambit of the Lokpal

The government's Lokpal Bill, 2011, which was tabled in parliament, lacks these provisions.

Anna's protest: citizens' right or blackmail?

The Team Anna versus government deadlock seems to be over for now. Anna Hazare has been given the go ahead to fast for 15 days at Ramlila Maidan. But the civil society is split over whether his method of protest falls in the category of blackmail. Apart from Anna's team, no one's come out to support his version of the Lokpal Bill, not even the political Opposition.

Anna Hazare's supporters loudly expressing that they have complete faith in Anna, his methods and the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"We want the Jan Lokpal Bill to be passed. That is the only condition and till the government accepts it, we won't agree," said a supporter.

But there are equally vocal differences in civil society about Anna Hazare. There are those who feel Hazare's threat of a hunger strike is nothing short of blackmail.

The National Campaign for Peoples Right to Information which has drafted its own version of the Lokpal Bill says that Team Anna's draft is not the only way to fight corruption.

"It will take several years of fight and struggle to be able to change the situation. People will have to fight for many years no matter what the law is," said Nikhil Dey.

Others say Anna Hazare's agitation is only undermining Parliament.

"This is a democratically elected Parliament and anyone who challenges it, please be wary of them," said Nandita Rao.

And still others feel that Anna is simply a front for the Hindu rightwing groups.

"We have seen what the RSS has done in this country," said Shabnam Hashmi.

Writer and civil activist Arundhati Roy is scathing about the arrest of Anna but says it's naive to think that Lokpal will solve corruption problem.

"It is absolutely outrageous what the government has done and mysterious as well. I don't know what is it so insecure about," said Arundhati Roy.

In the CNN-IBN State of the Nation poll across 19 states and 20,000 respondents, it was found that only one third of Indians have heard about the Jan Lokpal Bill and only one fourth have any idea what the bill is about. So the Anna Hazare movement could well be one based mainly in the TV viewing educated urban middle class.

The numbers on the street may be growing but scepticism is also growing about this so called second freedom movement.

For some Anna may be Gandhi, but others say, it takes more than just a topi and media attention to become a true Mahatma.

Anna Hazare to remain in Tihar till Ramlila Maidan is ready

Anna Hazare's health continues to be a matter of national concern. The member of Team Anna, Arvind Kejriwal, said a team of doctors would check on Anna Hazare just before his release from hospital. These reportedly would consist of doctors from a government hospital and those from Naresh Trehan's Vedanta Medicity.

''Anna Hazare's health is fine. A medical team from GB Pant hospital visited him on Wednesday evening. But he said that when jail doctors are taking care of him he does not need another medical team?''

Kejriiwal added that a medical team would be with Anna at all times, and that the Ramlila ground was being made ready for the Gandhian's purported fast to end corruption.       

''The Ramlila ground is being prepared. Only when it is ready to go, will Anna come out of Tihar jail. As things stands today, MCD has to prepare the grounds since it is full of muck. The ground has to be made ready because if the crowd reaches Ramlila grounds before we reach, it will be difficult to set up tents for them.

On Wednesday, defying the Delhi Police's earlier diktats, Anna Hazare had courted arrest demanding that he be allowed to fast without any conditions. After a late night meeting with the Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta, Team Anna said that the Gandhian had decided to accept the city police's offer permitting him to stage his protest for 14 days which could be extended later.

The leading player of the movement, Arvind Kejriwal said Anna Hazare will leave Tihar only when the Ramlila ground is ready. He will not move anywhere else. He will move straight from the jail to the Ramlila Maidan.

Govt may let Anna fast at JP Park for 7 days

The negotiations between the Government and Team Anna are still on over the proposed fast against corruption by Anna Hazare.

Sources have told that the government is considering offering Anna Hazare the JP Park as a venue for his fast against corruption for seven days.

According to sources, the government has offered Ramlila Maidan as an alternative venue for protest fast by Anna Hazare and his team. The restrictions on the crowd and vehicles are likely to be removed since Ramlila Maidan is a much larger ground. The Delhi police is likely to withdraw section 144 from JP Park.

DCP Crime Ashok Chand is believed to be negotiating with Team Anna inside the Tihar Jail and has given them two options for the venue - JP Park or Ramlila Grounds.

Top aides of Anna Hazare - Kiran Bedi, Medha Patkar, Swami Agnivesh, Prashant Bhushan, Manish Sisodia and Akhil Gogoi - are with him inside Tihar Jail.

Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar is also a part of the negotiation process underway inside the Tihar Jail. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was denied permission to enter the jail premises to meet Anna Hazare.

Earlier, sources has told that the government is engaging in back channel talks with Team Anna. The Congress core group met on Wednesday morning over the Anna issue. The Prime Minister, AK Antony, P Chidambaram, Pranab Mukherjee and Ahmed Patel attended the meeting.

"We will find a way out of this impasse," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is believed to have said. The PM also made a statement in Parliament today on the crackdown on Team Anna on Tuesday

PM : Anna's attempts to impose Jan Lokpal Bill misconceived

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a strong statement in Lok Sabha on the Anna Hazare standoff on today morning, defending the Delhi Police's decision to arrest the Gandhian and calling the social activist's attempts to impose his Jan Lokpal Bill on Parliament as "totally misconceived".

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare, his team and their ever-swelling supporters dug their heels in and outside the Tihar Jail, demanding the government give in to all conditions for their fast at Jai Prakash Narain Park in central Delhi.

“All of us agree that the Lokpal Bill should be passed by Parliament. The question is who drafts the law and who passes the law,” Singh said.

“It is the sole prerogative of Parliament to make laws and government has gone by well-settled principles,” the Prime Minister said.

He said Team Anna must allow elected representatives of the people to do their job.

The Prime Minister detailed before members the sequence of events that led to Anna Hazare's arrest, saying his detention and that of his colleagues' was a “preventive measure” as they had rejected several key security suggestions by the Delhi Police.

Singh said the government “acknowledges” the right of citizens to hold peaceful protests, but reiterated Hazare refuses to come out “unless the government gives him an undertaking that he would be allowed to fast at Jai Prakash Narain park”.

Ignoring loud grumbles from the Opposition, Singh appealed to all political parties to ensure that Parliament functioned smoothly.