ID :
202501
Sat, 08/20/2011 - 22:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/202501
The shortlink copeid
PM, Team Anna for dialogue
New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Government and Team Anna on
Saturday spoke of the need for a dialogue on the Lokpal issue
despite continuing rhetoric on both sides as the Gandhian's
fast entered the fifth day.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh affirmed that there
was "a lot of scope for give and take" and that the government
was open to "discussion and dialogue".
Hours later Arvind Kejriwal, who has emerged as a
hardliner in the Anna camp, said that they were ready for
talks and asked "whom should we meet, where should we meet and
when should we meet."
Pandering to the populist mood at Ramlila Grounds where
Hazare is fasting, his associates Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan
and Kiran Bedi spoke some tough words like "we cannot trust
this government", but at the same time maintained that the
government should come forward and start discussions.
There were no signs as to which side would take the
initiative to break the deadlock, but it was obvious that the
move would have to come soon since Hazare would enter sixth
day of his fast tomorrow. As of now, his vital health parameters were "stable."
Calling for a broad national consensus on Lokpal, the
Prime Minister expressed the hope that the government can
enlist the cooperation of "all thinking segments of Indian
public opinion to ensure that the end-product is a strong and
effective Lokpal which all sections of our community want".
"...We are open to discussion and dialogue. We like a
broad national consensus to emerge. We are all in favour of a
Lokpal which is strong and which is effective," he said.
Asked about Anna Hazare's demand that the Jan Lokpal
should be passed by Parliament by August 30, Singh said "well,
clearly, I think there are difficulties. It is a logic of the
legislative process."
Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Committee examining the Lokpal
Bill Saturday sought suggestions from the public within 15
days, making it clear that the August 30 deadline set by
Hazare on passing the anti-corruption legislation would not be
met.
The move was termed as a "waste of time" by Team Anna
which asserted the Committee should totally reject government
bill.
Coming down heavily on Team Anna, Minister of State for
the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy said its
criticism of the Standing Committee was a "clear case of
breach of privilege" and calling MPs "thieves" is equal to
casting aspersion on Parliament itself.
The minister also asked the Team Anna not to cross
'Lakshman rekha' (limit).
Reacting to the charge, Kejriwal said "we have not
crossed any limits but what we are saying is that the
government is using the Committee as a shield."
The Team Anna also refuted the charge that they were
trying to extract assurance from the government on "gunpoint".
"We are being accused that we are demanding passing of
this bill by the government on a gunpoint. If government is
saying....Parliament will take a decision on the bill. We are
common people who want Jan Lokpal like this", it said.
On whether the movement is becoming anti-Congress now and
what is their stand on BJP and other political parties,
Kejriwal said "Left is clear. We are upset with BJP. They
have not made their stand clear yet."
Bedi claimed nine parties like Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
have passed a resolution on Jan Lokpal Bill.
Both Kejriwal and Bhushan said the government should also
understand that Saturday is the fifth day of Anna's fast and
they should come forward and discuss.
"They should understand that government's policies on
corruption are forcing them to come out and take on," he told
the gathering.
To a volley of questions on government's contention that
they can go and testify before the Parliamentary Standing
Committee that is examining the Bill, Kejriwal said government
has made the Parliamentary Committee as a "shield" and wanted
to know how many recommendations made to different panels have
been accepted so far.
"We want to know how many suggestions that were put forth
before the Standing Committees have been accepted? The
government has drafted a Whistleblowers Bill, which is
completely wrong. Our Lokpal Bill gives protection to people
who blow the whistle on corruption," he said.
"Two versions of Lokpal is before the people of this
country. We want the Jan Lokpal Bill to be brought in
Parliament this session. We are trying to change the attitude
of the government on corruption," Kejriwal said.
The RTI activist also said the Standing Committee has
members like Lalu Prasad and Amar Singh and "how can one expect a Bill" on corruption from them.
Bedi also said while this is for the first time that the
civil society was involved in drafting a Bill in India, in the
UK, Japan and the US pre-legislative discourses are held
before a legislation is drafted.
On suggestions that the Lokpal Bill cannot be passed
immediately, Kejriwal said Shanti Bhushan has said a law can
be passed in Parliament in three days.
Saturday spoke of the need for a dialogue on the Lokpal issue
despite continuing rhetoric on both sides as the Gandhian's
fast entered the fifth day.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh affirmed that there
was "a lot of scope for give and take" and that the government
was open to "discussion and dialogue".
Hours later Arvind Kejriwal, who has emerged as a
hardliner in the Anna camp, said that they were ready for
talks and asked "whom should we meet, where should we meet and
when should we meet."
Pandering to the populist mood at Ramlila Grounds where
Hazare is fasting, his associates Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan
and Kiran Bedi spoke some tough words like "we cannot trust
this government", but at the same time maintained that the
government should come forward and start discussions.
There were no signs as to which side would take the
initiative to break the deadlock, but it was obvious that the
move would have to come soon since Hazare would enter sixth
day of his fast tomorrow. As of now, his vital health parameters were "stable."
Calling for a broad national consensus on Lokpal, the
Prime Minister expressed the hope that the government can
enlist the cooperation of "all thinking segments of Indian
public opinion to ensure that the end-product is a strong and
effective Lokpal which all sections of our community want".
"...We are open to discussion and dialogue. We like a
broad national consensus to emerge. We are all in favour of a
Lokpal which is strong and which is effective," he said.
Asked about Anna Hazare's demand that the Jan Lokpal
should be passed by Parliament by August 30, Singh said "well,
clearly, I think there are difficulties. It is a logic of the
legislative process."
Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Committee examining the Lokpal
Bill Saturday sought suggestions from the public within 15
days, making it clear that the August 30 deadline set by
Hazare on passing the anti-corruption legislation would not be
met.
The move was termed as a "waste of time" by Team Anna
which asserted the Committee should totally reject government
bill.
Coming down heavily on Team Anna, Minister of State for
the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) V Narayanasamy said its
criticism of the Standing Committee was a "clear case of
breach of privilege" and calling MPs "thieves" is equal to
casting aspersion on Parliament itself.
The minister also asked the Team Anna not to cross
'Lakshman rekha' (limit).
Reacting to the charge, Kejriwal said "we have not
crossed any limits but what we are saying is that the
government is using the Committee as a shield."
The Team Anna also refuted the charge that they were
trying to extract assurance from the government on "gunpoint".
"We are being accused that we are demanding passing of
this bill by the government on a gunpoint. If government is
saying....Parliament will take a decision on the bill. We are
common people who want Jan Lokpal like this", it said.
On whether the movement is becoming anti-Congress now and
what is their stand on BJP and other political parties,
Kejriwal said "Left is clear. We are upset with BJP. They
have not made their stand clear yet."
Bedi claimed nine parties like Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
have passed a resolution on Jan Lokpal Bill.
Both Kejriwal and Bhushan said the government should also
understand that Saturday is the fifth day of Anna's fast and
they should come forward and discuss.
"They should understand that government's policies on
corruption are forcing them to come out and take on," he told
the gathering.
To a volley of questions on government's contention that
they can go and testify before the Parliamentary Standing
Committee that is examining the Bill, Kejriwal said government
has made the Parliamentary Committee as a "shield" and wanted
to know how many recommendations made to different panels have
been accepted so far.
"We want to know how many suggestions that were put forth
before the Standing Committees have been accepted? The
government has drafted a Whistleblowers Bill, which is
completely wrong. Our Lokpal Bill gives protection to people
who blow the whistle on corruption," he said.
"Two versions of Lokpal is before the people of this
country. We want the Jan Lokpal Bill to be brought in
Parliament this session. We are trying to change the attitude
of the government on corruption," Kejriwal said.
The RTI activist also said the Standing Committee has
members like Lalu Prasad and Amar Singh and "how can one expect a Bill" on corruption from them.
Bedi also said while this is for the first time that the
civil society was involved in drafting a Bill in India, in the
UK, Japan and the US pre-legislative discourses are held
before a legislation is drafted.
On suggestions that the Lokpal Bill cannot be passed
immediately, Kejriwal said Shanti Bhushan has said a law can
be passed in Parliament in three days.
