Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare team unknown to the draft

Team Anna is in the dark regarding the nature of the draft of the Lokpal Bill that is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in the first week of August.

This was claimed by former top cop and Magsaysay awardee, Kiran Bedi, who is an integral part of the Jan Lokpal Bill movement, in Pune on Friday.

Both Bedi and veteran anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare, were in town for the 4th Prakash Kardaley Memorial Lecture held at Balgandharva Rangmandir.

“The nature of the Bill to be tabled is not even known to the political parties. We have no idea which draft the cabinet has cleared and there has been no communication between us and the cabinet,’’ she said.

Bedi also claimed that the oft-asked question to them was whether the Bill to be put before parliament had been drafted by the Congress as a party or the group of five ministers. Both Bedi and Hazare asserted their strong resolution to start a massive people’s movement in case the government tables a weak Lokpal Bill.

“I am ready to start another fast from August 16 if the government decides to pass a weak bill,’’ said Hazare, referring to his 96-hour fast which compelled the government to set up a joint committee for drafting the Lokpal Bill in April this year.

Addressing a packed audience, which consisted of many enthusiastic youngsters, Bedi drew thunderous applause as she enumerated the difference between the Lokpal Bill drafted by team Anna and the bill drafted by the government.

Bedi said the government was forced to come up with a draft resolution for the Lokpal Bill, following the ratification of the United Nations Anti-Corruption Treaty last year. “India was one of the last signatories to the convention, which talked about taking strong measures to curb corruption in the country. The Lokpal Bill was a direct result of this treaty, but the government is trying hard to make it a dud bill,’’ she said.

Both Bedi and Hazare stressed the need to bring the prime minister, the judiciary and all public servants under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. “In case of judiciary, the Lokpal will be empowered just to make enquiries and submit its findings to the Supreme Court for further action,’’ said Hazare.

Bedi also said although Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) are empowered to make enquiries, in reality the functioning of both the bodies is controlled by the government.

Hazare gave a clarion call for youths to be prepared for a massive movement on August 16. “I appeal to all to switch off the lights in their house for an hour from 8 pm on August 15 in a symbolic protest,’’ he added.