MUMBAI
Kiran Bedi, Anna Hazare said they will start people’s movement if govt tables weak bill.
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.
Maharashtra: Stage set for assembly poll results; Mahayuti, MVA confident of their victories
All set for vote counting in Jharkhand tomorrow; NDA, JMM-led alliances confident of winning
Watch: Australia star inquires Rishabh Pant about his next IPL team, gets 2-word reply
Shah Rukh Khan’s house Mannat was first offered to his industry rival…, but he refused because...
The Visionary Who Promises a Blue Sky for India: Holger Thorsten Schubart’s G20 Climate Speech
The Surge of High-End Living: Luxury Residential Market to Outpace Other Segments
FeFCon 2024 to be Held in Bangalore: A Premier Event on Fever Management
'That’s wild': Noida man turns cigarette butts into teddy bears in viral video, watch
London Airport evacuates passengers over security threat, thousands stranded
The World’s First Innovative Iron Supplement to Combat Iron Deficiency and Anaemia
Meet grandmother who became fashion icon after trying on her granddaughter’s clothes
IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in elite WTC list, becomes 3rd Indian to...
'All scripted drama...': Puneet Superstar allegedly assaulted by influencers in viral video, watch
Actress Ana de Armas caught kissing Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s son in viral photos
Oreshnik's Shadow: Will Russia's hypersonic missile force west to back down?
‘You’re So Beautiful’: World’s tallest woman meets world’s shortest woman over tea, pics go viral
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Consequences of GRAP-4 are drastic, may have adverse effects, says SC
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Schools likely to stay closed till..., check city-wise update
Maharashtra: 3 killed, 9 hospitalised after gas leak at fertiliser plant in Sangli
THIS farm is selling a cup of coffee for Rs 28000, but there's a twist, it is...
Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed after encounter with security personnel in Sukma
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
IND vs AUS 1st Test: KL Rahul's dismissal sparks DRS controversy in Perth Test
Dense fog, heavy rain predicted in these states till November 25; check here
Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile: Which nations are within its range?
Bihar teacher, principal reach school in drunken state; know what happened next
'I have faced a lot of...': Arjun Kapoor REVEALS his biggest fear amid break up with Malaika Arora
How millions of Indians may get affected due to US indictment of Gautam Adani in bribery case
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan says 'missing someone is okay but...'
After Bibles, watches and sneakers, Donald Trump is now selling autographed guitars, price is...
Delhi pollution: Air quality improves to ‘very poor’ category, AQI at...
Vladimir Putin's BIG threat, warns he could strike UK with new ballistic missile if...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 22, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
Somebody misbehaved with Alia Bhatt on Highway sets then Imtiaz Ali had to...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals twist behind Rs 200000 job fee, closes application window
Days after Ratan Tata's demise, Tata Group's Rs 131000 crore company inks pact with ADB for...
WATCH: Woman makes Biryani with Parle-G biscuits, viral video fumes internet
Only train in India in which passengers can travel for FREE; check route, timings and more