JOIN USInaccurate version brought before Cabinet: Bhushan
In a letter to Committee chairman Pranab Mukherjee, Bhushan said that the comparative analysis of two drafts released by Law Minister Veerappa Moily did not accurately present the civil society’s version of the Lokpal Bill.
“This chart does not present Jan Lokpal Bill accurately. Whereas there are inaccuracies at many places, the sections from Jan Lokpal Bill have also not been fully quoted at many other places. Any person reading this chart will be completely in the dark about the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill,” he said.
“We had decided that both the drafts will be taken to the Cabinet and to the political parties,” he added.
“However, if you wish to combine two drafts in a chart, we can make an attempt to do that also. But, kindly do not release it without concurrence of all members,” Shanti Bhushan urged Mukherjee in his letter.
Sahnti Bhushan also raised another objection too. “Moily is believed to have said that the government draft is ‘real’ and Anna’s draft is at best a ‘dissent note’. We do not agree to that”. Bhushan has claimed equal weightage for both the drafts.
A day-long convention of movement groups also denounced the government of trying to silence the voice against corruption. Addressing the convention, Arvind Kejriwal said that there is every bid to malign the civil society and crush the movement. He alleged that open thereat is being given to Anna that he should not continue his fast from August 15.
He attacked Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal for his anti-civil society statements.
Narmada leader Medha Patkar demanded that all the offices including that of the President should come under the purview of the Lokpal. She alleged that the corporates are obstructing Jan Lokpal Bill. “The government is guided by them,” she said. However, Swami Agnivesh cautioned civil society that it should always be ready for dialogues.
Noted journalist Kuldip Nayar said that movement groups should unite against the corrupt regime since nothing could be expected from it.