Anna Hazare Jindabad

We have won only half the battle: Anna Hazare

2011-08-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

Anna Hazare declared on Saturday that the nation's people had won a great victory as he announced he would end his fast at 10am on Sunday.

Hazare thanked people for their support on the Lokpal agitation but cautioned that only half the battle had been won.

"We have won only half the battle," said Hazare standing before wildly cheering crowds and flanked by his key aides and Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, former Maharashtra chief minister who has been an interlocutor.

"I congratulate every MP on what has happened today." Anna Hazare said.

Earlier, Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, along with Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit, reached the Ramlila Maidan and handed over a copy of the Lokpal resolution and a letter of the Prime Minister to Anna Hazare.

"Parliament has spoken. It is the will of the people," a smiling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while coming out of the House after the debate that ended at 8pm.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha went out of their way to discuss in a special sitting on Saturday an issue thrown up by the campaign of the 74-year-old activist who has been demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal for which he started a fast from August 16.

There was confusion at the end of the day-long debate in both the Houses as Parliament was expected to vote a resolution.

Originally conceived as a resolution, Parliament converted its agreement on three issues raised by Hazare -- citizen''s charter, lower bureaucracy under Lokpal through an appropriate mechanism and establishment of Lokayukta in the states -- and to remit them to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for giving its recommendations.

In his communication to Hazare, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh conveyed to him that Parliament has passed a resolution on the three issues raised by him and appealed to him to call off his fast.

TIMES CAMPAIGN: ACT AGAINST CORRUPTION

2011-08-26T00:40:00.000-07:00

Join campaign for a strong Lokpal law to make India corruption-free

The people of India are sick of corruption. Anna Hazare's Jantar Mantar fast, which got overwhleming public support, has not gone in vain. The latest government version of the proposed Lokpal Bill is certainly an improvement over the anemic bill drafted by the law ministry in December 2010, but the governemt is still not ready to go the whole hog. It wants to retain certain controls. This, unfortunately, may provide escape routes to the corrupt.

It's not too late to tell the government that we, the people of India, do not want any compromises on the anti-corruption law. Join the campaign by clicking the "JOIN CAMPAIGN" button below. You can also join the campaign by giving a missed call to the toll-free number 08030050051 / 08030088502 or by sending lok as an SMS to 58888.

You can also verbally record your support for the campaign on Hibuddy by dialing 58888199.(Only on Airtel, Reliance, Tata)

Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare demands debate in Parliament from Friday

2011-08-25T08:19:00.001-07:00

NEW DELHI: Reacting to Parliament's appeal to end his fast, Anna Hazare on Thursday demanded that Parliament discuss from Friday three key issues on Jan Lokpal and create an agreement, failing which he will not end his fast.

"I have sent a message to the Prime Minister. If you want to pass Jan Lokpal bill then start the discussion tomorrow morning. I have three demands. If there is support (for them), then I can consider ending the fast," he told his supporters at the Ramlila Grounds here.

Hazare has made three demands to the Prime Minister--- citizen's charter, lokayuktas in all states with Lokpal powers and inclusion of lowest to highest bureaucracy.

He was reacting to the appeal from Parliament that he end his fast after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made an offer to the civil society that the Jan Lokpal bill will be discussed by Parliament.

Hazare said he has sent this message through Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh when he came to meet him at the fast site and appealed to him to end his hunger strike.

"You (PM) say, you are worried. Now he is saying that we are worried but for ten days you were not worried. It went on like this," he said, adding the government had betrayed him twice in the past and now he would not like to be betrayed for the third time.

While taking note of the appreciation by the Prime Minister, Speaker and leader of the opposition, Hazare wondered why the opposition is keeping mum on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"Why are you keeping quiet? You should say that we will support this bill and ask the government to bring it. But now everyone has joined hands because they fear that power will slip out of their hands," the 74-year-old Gandhian told the opposition.

Hazare told the opposition to "put pressure" on the government on the issue.

He also noted that MPs and the Speaker appreciated the protest and even the Prime Minister saluted him. "It is not because of me, it is all because of you people," he said.

He said whether he was alive or not the torch of revolution should continue. "It is becoming difficult for poor to live. We have to create the change. Lot of people are living only to eat and some are eating to live," Hazare said.

"People are supreme. All officers should be brought under the Lokpal. All officers from the village to city should be under the Lokpal," he said.

If Lokpal is passed corruption at the Centre will be curbed but what about the corruption at state-level, he asked.

"If Lokayuktas are not established along with Lokpal, the corruption at state-level cannot be curbed. How can we do that? All states should have Lokayukta and they should be independent," he said.

Jan Lokpal Bill: Singapore Has One So Why Shouldn’t We!

2011-08-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

There are few fights in the world where the two opposing factions can be this easily labeled as white or black, right or wrong, good or evil. The fight for the Jan Lokpal Bill is one such rare example. Firstly, its objective is noble. It seeks to curb corruption in the Indian society. Secondly, the movement is unquestionable. It is not politically motivated. It is not going to bring the BJP or any other dubious party to power. It is a revolution led by an honest man and supported by the youth. Thirdly, the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill is based on proven measures for tackling corruption. As I will demonstrate in this post, the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill is strikingly similar to the laws of Singapore (the least corrupt nation of the world according to Transparency International)^[1]. This information alone should suffice in putting an end to any dubious argument against the provisions of the bill.
The Singapore Experience
For a nation genuinely seeking to reduce corruption, there can be few better examples to follow that that of Singapore. In 2010, Singapore, along with Denmark and New Zealand, was ranked by Transparency International as the least corrupt nation in the world^[1]. Singapore achieved this position with several synergistic measures (Read: “ Eradicating Corruption-The Singapore Experience^[2]“, by Mr. Muhammed Ali, Acting Assistant Director in 2000 of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau – CPIB). One among these measures was the establishment of the CPIB for investigating corruption related complaints.
It is interesting to note here that the powers granted to the Lokpal under the proposed bill are very similar to those granted to the CPIB under the Singapore law. In the table below, I have compared the proposed version of the Jan Lokpal Bill with the provisions of Singapore’s Anti Corruption Law. I have taken pains to ensure that the sources of my information are absolutely genuine. I have hyperlinked all my sources so that the reader can verify the authenticity of the information.
A Comparision of the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill & Singapore’s Anti-Corruption Law

Proposed Jan Lokpal Bill	Singapore’s Anti Corruption Law
The Lokpal will be completely independent of the government. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence their investigations ^[3]	CPIB’s independence of action was more or less guaranteed constitutionally^[4]. It reports directly to the PM’s office.
The loss that a corrupt person causes to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction ^[3]	Besides fine and imprisonment, the person convicted of corruption offence will be ordered by the court to return the amount of bribe, which he had accepted in the form of a penalty.^[2]
The Lokpal can receive complaints from the public ^[3]	Here is an online form that Singapore citizens can use to file a complaint ^[5]
Deterrence has been provided against frivolous complaints in the form of financial penalties against the complainant ^[6]	The CPIB has punished those who have tried to take undue advantage of this law. ^[7]
Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician ^[3]	The CPIB has complete police powers. It has the power to arrest, investigate and search. Search can also be performed without warrant, if necessary. ^[8]
It will be the duty of the Lokpal to provide protection to those who are being victimized for raising their voice against corruption^[3]	The law guarantees protection of identity to the person reporting the offense ^[9]
Enhanced punishment – The punishment would be minimum 5 years and maximum of life imprisonment. ^[10]	The Singapore courts have in the past sentenced corrupt officers investigated by the CPIB to 14 years of imprisonment. ^[11]
Its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process ^[3]	Here the Singapore law differs in application but not on intent. The appointments to the CPIB ^[12] are made by the President of Singapore who is directly elected ^[13] by the people, thus reducing the ability of politicians and bureaucrats to influence the selection process.
Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years ^[3]	Here the Jan Lokpal Bill deviates slightly. However, given that the CPIB manages to clear 98% of its cases within 90 days, this does not appear to a highly unreasonable clause. ^[14]

So Why Is The Government Fighting The Bill?
This analysis brings us to the main point. If the Jan Lokpal Bill appears to be a no-brainer, why is the government fighting it? The government’s proposed version aims to make the Lokpal a toothless body which can work only in an advisory capacity (no police powers) and which can investigate only those complaints forwarded to it by the speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (no complaints can be received from the public).^[15]
The answer to this question is simple. Power. An independent, powerful Lokpal will deprive Indian politicians of their primary source of livelihood – the misuse of power for personal gain. The specter of a strong body with prosecution powers haunts them because they fear accountability.
The Way Forward
Given the lack of strong political leadership, it is unlikely that the government is going to put in serious efforts to pass a bill that greatly diminishes its own power. The passage of this bill appears unlikely without a strong people’s movement.
So far, the movement appears to have made an impact. The government has agreed to the demands of 50% representation of civil society activists on the drafting committee for the Jan Lokpal Bill ^[16]. But, the real test lies ahead. As time passes, the movement will lose steam. The politicians know it. They know how to buy time. To be passed into a law, the bill needs to be approved by the parliament and it would be no mean task trying to pass a strong anti-corruption bill through a Lok Sabha whose membership includes 150 members with criminal charges against them ^[17].
This is why it is so important that the movement continues till the end – till the day the bill is passed into a law. The movement for the Jan Lokpal Bill is a spotless movement with a noble objective, advocating a proven policy and it is worth every bit of the effort we put in.

source:rajeshgoradia.com

Team Anna, Govt working on truce; New Lokpal draft readied for all-party meet

2011-08-24T03:10:00.000-07:00

Desperate to persuade Anna Hazare to end his fast, now in its ninth day, the government has spent its morning meeting with his representatives. A new draft of the Lokpal Bill - which will create an independent anti-corruption agency - has been readied after this morning's negotiations. It has been sent to senior minister Pranab Mukherjee for review, and will be circulated this afternoon at an all-party meeting.

74-year-old Anna appeared visibly weakened but delivered a feisty reprimand to the government in his morning address at his camp at Ramlila Maidan. "This government still does not have the will to fight corruption," he charged. "I am six kilos lighter...but I am not weak," he said. "You power me."

The pressure of Anna's health is forcing the government to search for support both with his associates and among the Opposition. At the heart of the crisis is the Lokpal Bill which is meant to filter out corruption among public servants. The government has introduced a draft of the bill in parliament. Team Anna wants that version withdrawn on the grounds that it is designed to provide cover to those accused of graft. What the government is working on now is a new collaborative draft that pairs its suggestions with those of Team Anna.

It is this new avatar of the Lokpal Bill that will be shared with opposition parties at 3.30 this afternoon. Kiran Bedi, a member of Anna's core group, tweeted this afternoon that three points of difference remain unresolved. Along with two other members of Team Anna, she met with Law Minister Salman Khurshid this morning. "Convergence can be reached," the minister said, "but it cannot happen the instant talks begin." He also said that for the government, ending Anna's fast takes priority over passing the new Lokpal bill before the parliament session ends on September 8. This deadline was set by Anna's aides; sources in the government say the session may be extended as an extreme measure.

Sources say that most of the contentious issues between Team Anna and the government have been resolved. For example, the government has agreed that the Lokpal Bill should cover the Prime Minister. The activists, in exchange, have accepted that corruption charges against senior judges will be addressed through the Judicial Accountability Bill, which will be vetted by the activists, and introduced in Parliament along with a modified Lokpal Bill. There is consensus also on the extent that the anti-corruption wings of the CBI and the Central Vigilance Commission will report to the Lokpal.

What remains to be resolved is whether junior bureaucrats should be reviewed by the Lokpal Bill. The activists say that's essential; the government says this will require 20,000 people to work with the Lokpal or ombudsman committee. Other areas of difference include whether states should draft their own versions of the Lokpal Bill or implement the one passed at the Centre. The activists also want a citizen's charter to be adopted by every government department which would detail the duties of officials in that team and include penalties for under-performance. Sources say that the government is not willing to accept these demands.

The Prime Minister wrote to Anna last evening, expressing concern over the activist's frail health, and offering that Anna's Lokpal Bill could be studied by the Parliamentary standing committee that already has the government's draft. However, Team Anna wants their Lokpal Bill to be debated directly by Parliament, which would entail bypassing any deliberations at the committee level.

NDTV india

PM appeals to Anna to end his fast; Pranab to lead talks with activists.

2011-08-23T04:58:00.001-07:00

Even as Anna Hazare announced that his fast against corruption will continue - the 74-year-old is now on his eighth day without food - his widely-welcomed movement against corruption seems to be heading into its third act.

In a sign that both Anna's advisors and the government want to find a compromise, activist Arvind Kejriwal met Law Minister Salman Khursheed. Often described as the hardliner in Anna's team, Mr Kejriwal had regretted this morning that the government had still to invite Team Anna to a new round of talks.

"Time is running out," said Mr Khursheed. "We need to find a solution fast...and a solution is possible through such talks," he said.

After the meeting, Mr Kejriwal told reporters that the government has indicated Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will lead the negotiations with the activists. Sources in the Congress also say that the party is pressuring Rahul Gandhi to write to Anna. Government sources said that the PM may also send a written appeal to Anna, asking him to end his hunger strike.

The government's frantic attempts to engage Team Anna is provoked by the frail condition of Anna and by the seemingly inexhaustible supply of goodwill that draws people in unprecedented numbers to his sit-in at Ramlila Maidan in the capital. Appearing on stage this morning amid reports of his worsening health, "I am fine...I have lost 5.5 kilos but my fight continues." (Who is Anna Hazare?)

Anna said he still wants his version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill to be passed in Parliament. Till that happens, he vowed, he will not end his hunger strike.

But his associates indicated subtle new elasticity in their comments today.

Team Anna objects to the government's version of the Lokpal Bill, on the grounds that it provides safe passage to public servants accused of corruption. The activists who front the India Against Corruption movement have drafted their own version of the Bill. Two weeks ago, the government ignored Team Anna's bill and introduced its own in Parliament. The activists declared war and delivered on their threat that Anna would start a fast and appeal to Indians to join his demonstration against corruption.

The government had underestimated Anna's appeal in a country confronting massive graft in everyday life and in its political landscape. While many of the thousands who show up to support Anna don't know how his bill differs from the government's, they say he will help cleanse a system rabid with official improbity.

Anna's health, the fanatical response to him, and the Opposition's support for him has forced the government into a corner from which it's trying to pry its way out. In the hope of engaging with the Opposition, an all-party meeting has been set for 3.30 tomorrow afternoon. Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is being used as a channel for negotiations between all three sides - the government, the Opposition and the activists. Sources say the Congress is also pressuring General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to intervene and broker peace with Anna and his associates.

Among Anna's main objections to the government's draft of the Lokpal Bill is that it doesn't apply to the PM, senior judges or junior bureaucrats. While the government may agree to let the Bill apply to the Prime Minister, the activists say they could be persuaded to accept other pieces of legislation that would tackle corruption among senior judges and junior bureaucrats.

The government's version of the Lokpal Bill has been placed with the Standing Committee of Law and Justice and Personnel - a panel that combines 31 MPs from different parties. Now a Congress MP, Praveen Aron, has tabled Anna's version of the Bill before the same committee. Congress sources say his gesture was encouraged by his party because it allows the Standing Committee to deliberate Anna's Bill as well, or add features from it to the government's version.

NDTV

संसद से ऊंची है जनसंसद: अन्‍ना हजारे

2011-08-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

लोकपाल को लेकर अन्‍ना हजारे का अनशन छठे दिन भी जारी है. रामलीला मैदान में अन्‍ना हजारे ने कहा कि हम जनलोकपाल तो लेकर रहेंगे. उन्‍होंने कहा कि इस क्रांति में नवयुवक साथ हैं.

अन्‍ना हजारे ने कहा कि हर हाल में भ्रष्‍टाचार को खत्‍म करना है. उन्‍होंने आंदोलनकारियों से अपील की कि वे अपने-अपने सांसदों के घर के सामने धरना दें और जनलोकपाल के लिए दबाव बनाएं.

अन्‍ना हजारे ने कहा कि संसद से ऊंची जनसंसद है. उन्‍होंने कहा‍ कि अब मालिक जाग गया है, आखिरकार मालिक मालिक ही रहेगा और सेवक सेवक. देश में भ्रष्‍टाचार के बढ़ रहे मामलों पर अन्‍ना हजारे ने फिर दोहराया कि देश के खजानों को पहरेदारों से ही खतरा है. अन्‍ना ने कहा कि आज लताजी के गाए गीत जरा याद करो कुर्बानी फिर से गाए जाने की जरूरत है.

अन्‍ना के भाषण के तुरंत बाद अरविंद केजरीवाल ने कहा कि वे बातचीत के लिए तैयार हैं. उन्‍होंने कहा कि सभी पार्टिंयों को अपना रुख स्‍पष्‍ट करना च‍ाहिए. सभी सांसदों को बताना चाहिए कि वे किस बिल के साथ हैं. बहरहाल, इस पूरे आंदोलन पर देश की निगाहें टिकी हुई हैं.

Aajtak

Govt trying to stop Lokpal from becoming a reality: Team Anna

2011-08-21T00:03:00.001-07:00

RSS, BJP not behind my fast: Anna

See photo

NEW DELHI: Anna Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal entered the fifth day on Saturday saying that the government has been trying to delay the Lokpal Bill for decades. It sent a clear message to the government that the protest will not end till a strong Lokpal Bill is passed.

In a media interaction at the historic Ramlila Maidan from where Anna Hazare on Friday launched his protest fast, Team Anna took on the government for delaying the Lokpal Bill and accused the government from making the law a reality.

The 73-year-old Gandhian said, "They (government) have linked us to the US and now they will link our agitation to Pakistan."

Team Anna also dismissed reports that the movement has got any backing from any political parties or has links with any political parties like BJP, RSS. "Our protest is not political, it is against corruption" Team Anna said. "Those who are saying the BJP and RSS are behind our agitation should be sent to a "mental hospital," Anna Hazare said.

Anna Hazare's associates - Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi - spoke some tough words like "we cannot trust this government", but at the same time maintained that the government should come forward and start discussions. They also added that the government should stop wasting time in making false allegations.

Prashant Bhushan questioned the government, "How long will the nation wait for the Lokpal Bill."

Accusing the government of using divisionary tactics, Team Anna said that it is not holding the government to ransom and added that everyone has the right to protest in this country.

There were no signs as to which side would take the initiative to break the deadlock, but it was obvious that the move would have to come soon since Anna Hazare would enter sixth day of his fast on Sunday. As of now, his vital health parameters were "stable."

Times of India

IIT, IIM students launch online petition in support of Anna

2011-08-21T00:00:00.001-07:00

AHMEDABAD: Faculty as well as students of premier educational institutes like IITs and IIMs have launched an online petition on the web to garner support for anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare as his indefinite fast for the Jan Lokpal Bill entered the fifth day on Saturday.

The 1,322-signatories to the petition and counting includes faculty of IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Bangalore, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Gandhinagar and IIT-Guwahati. This petition seeks support to the Gandhian by skipping one meal in the day so long as he (Anna) continues with his fast.

It has also been signed by the students of IITs and IIMs, and is gradually getting popular.

"We have been instructed by the institution not to openly come in favour of the movement, but a lot of support is being garnered in favour of Anna at the institutes at individual level, where faculty and students have signied up this online petition," a faculty member of IIM-A who is amongst co-creators of the petition said, preferring anonymity.

Names of four faculty members from IIT-Gandhinagar figures on the portal, who have appealed to people to lend support for Anna, and also thank them for joining the online campaign.

The comment of Dr Sachin D Kore, a faculty of IIT-Guwahati on the portal reads "I support Anna's fast against corruption."

Sreejith P, has posted 'Support from IIT-Madras, on the portal.

The petition, hosted as www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service on the web, is created by both the faculty and students of IIMs and IITs.

The petition draft reads, "Its an appeal that seeks to express solidarity with Anna Hazare who has decided to undertake a fast unto death unless the government agrees to enact a powerful law to rid India of the scourge of corruption."

Protests were even organised at the IIM-A campus here in support of Anna Hazare on Thursday last. Students had taken out a candlelight rally and skipped one meal that day.
Source:Times Of India

Anna's fast enters sixth day

2011-08-20T23:35:00.001-07:00

Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's fast for a strong Lokpal bill entered the sixth day here Sunday, with thousands packing the spacious Ramlila ground.

Hazare, 74, 'is fine', an activist of India Against Corruption told IANS. 'He was fine till late yesterday, and so is the condition now I think.'

The volunteer added that a meeting of Hazare and his close aides was going on but the subject being discussed was not known.

An estimated 10,000 people were at the Ramlila ground Sunday morning, raising slogans hailing the Gandhian for insisting on an effective anti-corruption legislation.

A large number was also having breakfast provided by the organisers -- biscuits, bread pakora, patty, aloo puri, and tea.

Many poured through Hindi newspapers, also distributed for free at the site.

Hazare began his indefinite fast Aug 16 soon after his detention while he was proceeding to the J.P. Park.

The same day he was taken to Tihar Jail, where he remained until Friday when he shifted to the Ramlila ground.

source:Yahoo India

anna hazare this song is in support to pass lokpal bill

2011-08-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

suno yaar o meri ek yae baat ek tha hazari corrupion k kilaf) jis ke youth hai sattt
corruption kerne wale netao ke laga dee jis ne de watt...........
sunny
yaa ahhh
tum tention na loo
tmera satt pura hai jaha
tumera bina ya desh ho adhura jum ho desh ke shan
tusi sachi to sachi gall karde hoo koi
jayda bole ga neahi hum tumera satt corruption kerne walo ke watt
koi sade jogi seva hoge desia karo appa desi hai mundee

zad
mane kaha tum ho hamera hero
tum ne apne rehan sehan ko bhula dia
chora sab kuch hamera lia
tum bass gaye ho sab ke dilo me
tum ne uthai hai awajj corruption ke khilafff
tum sacha ho sab to sache or bandee deta hai tumera misall
this time u like this me sunny and zad

yo yoo

Compose By: street rapers

Ambika Soni goes defensive on Team Anna, claims door open for negotiation

2011-08-20T02:58:00.001-07:00

With social activist Anna Hazare generating a mass support on the issue of Lokpal, the much humiliated Congress is making desperate efforts to salvage its image by claiming that the doors to negotiations to resolve the matter are still open.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Friday said, “I fail to understand why Team Anna has chosen the path of protest to find a solution to this complex issue. In any case, the Centre has accepted 34 points of bill made by Civil Society. There is difference of opinion on other points.”

She pointed out that the Government keeps the doors open for talks and dialogue. Soni accepted that Anna has received an overwhelming support from different parts of the country. “But it does not confirm that he has the support of entire India,” she added.

On being asked, whether the movement for a more effective Lokpal bill is the most challenging political crisis for UPA-2, she said, “I do not know, but our government is very serious to root out the menace of corruption. And it is true that as media exposed series of scam, people are very annoyed with politicians.”

Replying to a question on the sharp contrast in the public opinion on the crystal clear image of Prime Minister and the tainted representation of his cabinet, Soni said, “Perhaps this is the anger of people against politicians who have been involved in scams and scandals. Irrespective of the fact that who is leading the campaign, people tend to support any raised against corruption.”

Source: JPN/

Table Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament on Tuesday

2011-08-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

As Anna Hazare's fast entered the fifth day on Saturday, his team has demanded early introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament and said government can get it passed in days if it has the will.

"It is the people's demand that next Tuesday when Parliament opens, then the government should withdraw its version of the Lokpal Bill and introduce our Bill," former Law Minister and Hazare's associate Shanti Bhusan said.

Addressing the gathering at the Ramlila Maidan, he said the government should give an "assurance to Mr Hazare that whenever the Jan Lokpal Bill comes, they issue a whip and get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed."

Indicating that Mr Hazare could be open to minor changes in the Jan Lokpal Bill, he said an assurance from the government on his demand will be like showing respect for the public sentiment.

"If the government feels that some small changes need to be made to the Bill, then even those should be made only after taking permission and support from Anna. If they are willing to give that assurance, then it will show a respect for public sentiment and it is possible that Anna may agree to it," Mr Bhushan said.

On the deadline set by Mr Hazare, Mr Bhushan said the government can pass it within days if it has a "strong will" to do it. "It can happen. I have been a Union Law Minister and I know how things happen in government," he said.

Mr Hazare on Friday gave a 12-day deadline to the government to pass the bill; if the government fails, Mr Hazare has vowed to continue the fast till his last breath.

Asked whether the deadline was a little impractical, another of Mr Hazare's associate, Arvind Kejriwal, told reporters, "If the government desires, it can pass 15 bills in five minutes. But for the anti-corruption bill, they are taking more than 42 years. So we want to know how many more years will they take."

Source :: NDTV

Main features of Jan Lokpal Bill

2011-08-20T02:45:00.000-07:00

1.An institution called LOKPAL at the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each state will be set up

2.Like Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence their investigations.

3.Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore: Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.

4.The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction.

5.How will it help a common citizen: If any work of any citizen is not done in prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation to the complainant.

6.So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case or any other work is not being done in prescribed time. Lokpal will have to get it done in a month’s time. You could also report any case of corruption to Lokpal like ration being siphoned off, poor quality roads been constructed or panchayat funds being siphoned off. Lokpal will have to complete its investigations in a year, trial will be over in next one year and the guilty will go to jail within two years.

7.But won’t the government appoint corrupt and weak people as Lokpal members? That won’t be possible because its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process.

8.What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire functioning of Lokpal/ Lokayukta will be completely transparent. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the officer dismissed within two months.

9.What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC, departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.

Anna Hazare

2011-08-20T02:36:00.000-07:00

10 things to know about Anna Hazare 'n Jan Lok Pal Bill.. !

1. Who is Anna Hazare?

An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War

2. What's so special about him?

He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra

3. So what?

This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills.

In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.

4. Ok,...?

This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities.

5. Really, what is he fighting for?

He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India.

6. How that can be possible?

He is advocating for a Bil, The Jan Lokpal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), beurocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.

8. It's an entirely new thing right..?

In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit thier theft (corruption).

7. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time?

The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed.

Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the JAN LOKPAL BILL. 50% goverment participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.

8. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed?

A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.

9. Is he alone? Whoelse is there in the fight with Anna Hazare?

Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more.

Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.

10. Ok, got it. What can I do?

At least we can spread the message. How?

Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics.