Anna Hazare demands strong Lokpal Bill

 "Karnataka Lokayukta released the PDS scam report on Wednesday indicating a monthly loss of Rs 146 crores and mining scam involving the top politicians including the Chief Minister. However, those accused in the report are precisely the people who would be expected to decide whether to take actions against themselves. Unfortunately, the government's version of Lokpal Bill fails to rectify this serious anomaly," said Prashant Bhushan.
 
Anna issued a statement on Wednesday in anticipation that the Union Cabinet would discuss on Thursday the draft of the Lokpal Bill to be presented in Parliament.

“It is a rare opportunity for UPA government to change the history of India. If they present a strong Lokpal Bill, the whole country would be indebted to them. We sincerely appeal to the Union Cabinet to present a strong Lokpal Bill in the Parliament,” appealed the social activist.

“None of the large scams of recent times like the Adarsh Housing scam and others including-the Commonwealth Games, the Reddy brothers, mining scam, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case, Cash for vote scam, fodder issue, Taj corridor and other scams – none of these are covered by government’s Lokpal. So, what is covered under Government’s Lokpal?” asked Bhushan.

“If the government presents a law whose basic structure is bad, we will be left with no option but to sit on an indefinite fast to demand that the government should withdraw this law and present a better law in Parliament,” said Arvind Kejriwal.

In its statement, Team Anna has said that initial indications in the ongoing referendum in Delhi, Bangalore and Nagpur show strong favour to the civil society’s draft on Lokpal Bill.