With the end of eighth day of fast of Anna Hazare, the government finally took some real and effective steps to end the deadlock with the anti-corruption crusader and his associates.
As his ministers began discussions with Team Anna Hazare, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent a letter to the social activist Anna Hazare at the Ramlila Maidan, urging him to end his hunger strike. In his letter, Dr. Manmohan Singh was quoted saying We are concerned about your health. He also added that the Parliamentary Committee will ask the Lok Sabha Speaker for permission to study Anna Hazare's version of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.
The activist lead by Anna Hazare stated that this committee was so far scrutinising the government's version of the bill and the draft that is being provided for the time being is not strong enough and provides too many outs to public servants accused of corruption.
Before the Prime Ministers letter, the government had suggested that some features of Anna Hazare's bill could be added as amendments to the government's bill. The PM suggested that Anna Hazare's bill in its entirety may be discussed by the Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Personnel which combines 31 MP's from different parties.
Team Anna has so far stood on the ground that they are in need for a bill which will be debated in the Parliament. One of the close aide of Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan, has dismissed the Standing Committee's deliberations as a delaying tactic because the panel's recommendations are not binding.
The government's new reaction towards Team Anna comes soon after it has watched thousands of peoples embrace Anna Hazare's war-cry against corruption. Anna Hazare's frail condition is another issue which is coming uo now. Doctors said that he is weak but not critically ill and doctors added that he has lost 5.5 kgs.
The Prime Minister lead talks with Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi about Anna crisis; and the government's senior-most minister, Pranab Mukherjee has been deputed to lead the talks with Anna Hazare's aides.
Khurshid said that the official negotiations were launched at a meeting between Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Anna Hazare's close aide Kejriwal and added that the time is running out. Law Minister said that they need to find a solution as soon as possible and such solution can be reached only after conducting talks.
The Lokpal Bill provides for an independent agency that will examine charges of corruption against public servants.
Team Anna Hazare said that the government has deliberately drafted a weak Bill that will not effectively combat systematic venality. The activist drafted its own version of the bill. Two weeks ago, the government ignored Anna Hazare's bill and introduced its own in Parliament. The activist thereby declared war and delivered on their threat that Anna Hazare would start a fast and appeal to Indians to join his demonstration against corruption.
News Reported by AR for Newsvision
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