A day after boycotting the meeting of Lokpal bill drafting committee, Anna Hazare-led team has made it clear that they had no intention to quit the joint panel.
Activist Arvind Kejriwal said civil society members will attend the next meeting and contended that if they leave the ten-member committee, it will have “no credibility” as it will only remain a government panel with five ministers.“Kapil Sibal has said that whether we come or not, they will go ahead (with the drafting of the Lokpal Bill). Why did that question arise? We had written to (Finance Minister) Pranab Mukherjee that we will not be attending today’s (June 6) meeting.
“We also said that Anna Hazare will not be available on June 10 and so that the meeting on that be postponed. So it makes it clear that we are going to attend meetings. We are not going to leave the committee just like that,” he said.
Despite the five civil society members boycotting the meeting on Monday, the ministers went ahead and finalised some provisions of the proposed Lokpal Bill.
Later, Sibal took objection to the boycott of the meeting by civil society members and said that the committee would do its work “whether or not someone comes”.
The activists also defended their insistence on live telecast of joint committee proceedings saying it will give a better picture of the stands taken by both the sides.
On the question of live telecast, Bhushan said why the government was against the live telecast if they have nothing to hide.
Anna adjust – Baba believe
How can we expect corruption to disappear overnight ?
Believe when Prime Minister says there is no magic wand !
After all, it has taken 60 years of hard work by generations of politicians and by countless bureaucrats to put it in place.
Never underestimate the effort that went into institutionalizing it.
How can we blame present Governments ( both, Central and States ), for nurturing what they inherited from their predecessors ?
Baba, be patient.
Anna, be accommodating.
If we are not around when the Empire gets dismantled, how does it matter ? Do not raise unreasonable expectations by going on fast.
Shh, Shh, and don’t make too much noise – the Ministers are busy drafting and crafting and grafting !
Prime Minister has no other business. He has asked them to declare their assets. But why involve spouses in this ?
With regards
Hemen Parekh
Jobs for All = Peace on Earth