Indian Holocaust My Father`s Life and Time - SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTEEN
Palash Biswas
http://indianholocaustmyfatherslifeandtime.blogspot.com/
http://basantipurtimes.blogspot.com
The Zionist Brahaminical Hegemony WOULD NOT Allow it Happen, the polarisation of Excluded Communities SC, ST, OBC and Minorities! Hence Anna Team has BLOCKED Ramlila Maidan, the venue of the Massive Mulnivasi MahaRally to Demand OBC Head Count Protesting Anti People Policies of the LPG Mafia Rule!The CROWN Prince Rahul Gandhi apparently posing as Saviour of Constitution and Democratics Institutions, JUMPED the Arena to Prolong the Diversion Debate Killing the Space for the Deprived Majority Masses Excluded. No Debate is intiated at any level on the Disastrous Reforms Drive and FDI Raj, US Control on Indian Free Market Economy. Anna supporters Protesting Rahul have sent the SIGNAL for yet Another Mission Hindu Rashtra! As RSS and Hindutva Forces have COME Forward to Bat for Brand ANNA!Anna Hazare would call of his fast the moment Parliament passes a resolution containing three of his demands or at least table the Janlokpal Bill, a key member of his team said today. However,Rahul Gandhi's "game changing idea" of making Lokpal a constitutional body like the Election Commission was supported by Team Anna which however felt it was only a long term solution while BJP asked the Congress leader to stop giving "sermons".
Live: Day 11 of Anna Hazare fast
As Anna's epic fast enters the 11th day, we bring you all the events as they happen
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10.18 pm: Not the time to score political points, says Jyotiraditya Scindia on the debate over the Lokpal Bill
9.42 pm: My suggestions on Lokpal are a gamechanger, says Rahul Gandhi
9.24 pm: Committed to a strong Lokpal, says Sachin Pilot
9.02 pm: BJP's position very close to Anna's draft, says Arun Jaitley
8.34 pm: No voting on Lokpal bill as it continues
8.16 pm: BJP wants vote so that it is clear who stands where, says Arun Jaitley
7.42 pm: Team Anna should contest elections and get bill passed, says Mayawati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
7.23 pm: Vilasrao Deshmukh in touch with Anna, says Law Minister Salman Khurshid
7.07 pm: Pranab statement at 11am tomorrow as govt initiates discussion
6.48 pm: PM Manmohan Singh to respond to Anna's letter by evening, say reports
6.37 pm: Speaker Meira Kumar appeals to Anna to end his fast
6.22 pm: Pranab Mukherjee says, govt is not cornered, trying to find solutions to the matter at hand
6.13 pm: Pranab Mukherjee says, after the debate, the matter to be forwarded to the Standing Committee
5.58 pm: Pranab Mukherjee says that govt bill will not be withdrawn
5.52 pm: Appeal to Anna to call off his fast, says Pranab Mukherjee
5.05 pm: We will gherao Rahul Gandhi's house, says Team Anna
3.47 pm: BJP says, all central govt employees should be covered in Lokpal
3.21 pm: BJP gives notice for debate in Lok Sabha with voting on resolution
3.18 pm: Debate will clarify BJP's stand on lower bureaucracy, says Kiran Bedi
Also read:
Anna, Twitter & other stories
'Govt resolution should enable Anna end fast'
Five trespassers held near Anna's protest site
Anna fast: In pics
2.39 pm: BJP forces adjournment of the house saying that it is not prepared for the Lokpal debate, say reports
2.07 pm: Not sitting on fast for my personal benefit, says Anna to PM Manmohan Singh
1.36 pm: Will call off fast if 3 conditions are met in resolution, says Anna
1.10pm: Team Anna welcomes Rahul Gandhi's statement that Lokpal should be on the lines of the Election Commission
12.50pm: BJP slams Rahul, says he's no right to "give sermons" when government seen to be "dilly-dallying" with corruption
12.35pm: Rahul Gandhi speech disappointing, says Medha Patkar
12.22pm: Overruling Parliament sets a dangerous precedent, Rahul in Lok Sabha
12.20pm: Make Lokpal a body like the Election Commission, says Rahul Gandhi
12.17pm: Rahul in Lok Sabha: One Lokpal not enough to eradicate corruption. Corruption is a problem that every Indian wants to fight
12.02pm: Rahul Gandhi speaks in Lok Sabha on Anna's fast
11.55am: Team Anna meets leaders of the Left parties
11.49am: UPA govt wants Anna to promise to end fast as soon as Parliament begins discussing the Lokpal bill.
11.44am: Team Anna sends revised draft of Jan Lokpal bill to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
11.33am: Discussion on Lokpal bill in Parliament without voting
11.10am: Pranab Mukherjee, Salman Khurshid meet to work out the resolutions to be presented befor Parliament.
11.00am: Three MPs give notice for discussion on Lokpal
10.20am; Anna's fast to continue
10.00am: Govt says that as no notice has been given by any of the MPS, the debate on the Lokpal/Jan Lokpal can not be held today.
Also read:
Anna, Twitter & other stories
'Govt resolution should enable Anna end fast'
Five trespassers held near Anna's protest site
Anna fast: In pics
A group of Anna Hazare supporters on Wednesday protested outside the residence of Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, shouting slogans in favour of the Gandhian and his demand for a strong Lokpal. Earlier,Scores of anti-corruption campaigners on Wednesday took turns in protesting outside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's heavily-guarded residence while an all-party meeting was under way in search of a solution to the crisis triggered by Anna Hazare's anti-graft fast.
Breaking his silence, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today asserted that Lokpal Act alone will not help eradicate corruption and appeared to disapprove Anna Hazare's fast, saying "individual dictates" must not weaken democratic process as dangerous precedent could be set.
Agreeing that "corruption is pervasive" which operates at "every level", Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha that a set of effective laws along with creation of an statutory institution of Lokpal like the Election Commission would be required to fight the malaise.
"We cannot wish away corruption by the mere desire to see it removed from our lives. This requires a comprehensive framework of action and a concerted political programme supported by all levels of the State from the highest to the lowest. Most importantly, it requires firm political will," he said during Zero Hour, amid noisy protests from NDA members.
Referring to the anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare, Gandhi said it has "helped the people to articulate" disillusionment and "I thank him for that".
At the same time, the Congress leader said, "individual dictates, no matter how well-intentioned, must not weaken the democratic process....A tactical incursion, divorced from the machinery of an elected government that seeks to undo the checks and balances created to protect the supremacy of Parliament sets a dangerous precedent for a democracy."
Amid reports that the Lok Sabha was all set to debate three versions of the Lokpal Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the debate on the Jan Lokpal Bill is unlikely to take place today.
Meanwhile, the Congress Party and the government has expressed concern that social activist Anna Hazare may not call off his fast even after the three versions of the Lokpal Bill are tabled.
Sources in the party and the government have reportedly revealed that they want an assurance from Team Anna that he will end his fast once the Bills are tabled.
Anna supporters have for the past few days picketed houses of MPs, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and BJP leader L K Advani, after Hazare's campaign managers called on people to protest outside residences of MPs.
They had also protested in front of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Race Course Road residence yesterday.
The protest in front of Gandhi's residence came hours after he broke his silence on the contentious issue of the Lokpal Bill, praising Hazare but strongly advocating adherence to constitutional principles.
The protesters, who raised slogans in support of Hazare and against corruption, were later detained.
"He (hazare) has made his position clear that he will break his fast if this minimum demand of at least the resolution containing three things is passed by Parliament or at least table the Janlokpal Bill. Then he will withdraw the fast," Prashan Bhushan, member of Team Anna, said.
"If it is passed today, he will call off the fast immediately," he said.
Bhushan, a lawyer himself, said the resolution approving the three demands of civil society--lower bureaucracy to be brought in the ambit of Lokpal, creation of Lokpal in all the states through a legislation and approval of citizens charter--has to be brought by the government formally.
He said earlier Hazare had said at least table the Janlokpal Bill. "Now he has said if you can't table the alright, at least pass a resolution on these three issues which affects the common people of the country, then I can call off the fast while maintaining the right to continue the strike on the issue."
He criticised the government for not bringing a resolution to Parliament to discuss the three key demands of Hazare.
Bhushan said, "If government wants Anna Hazare to end his fast, then they should bring the resolution to the Parliament as soon as possible. If the resolution is not brought today then there should be a special session tomorrow."
He said the "attitude" of the government as well as political parties towards Hazare's movement was being strictly monitored by people of the country and that they should not "undermine" the "peoples' movement".
Joining the debate on the Lokpal issue, former election commissioner TN Seshan on Friday said that the supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament should be maintained. Speaking to Times Now, Seshan said that he had prepared a draft on the Lokpal issue and his draft was on the lines of what Rahul Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha today.
According to the former election commissioner, the Lokpal should be a constitutional body on the pattern of the Election Commission.
"The majority of the Lokpal members should be non-government officials. The selection of the Lokpal member should invite confidence. The members should be selected by a unanimous decision and there should be no voting on it"
Meanwhile, there were growing signs of differences within the Anna Hazare camp over the continuance of Gandhian's fast with Justice Santosh Hegde today joining another associate, Agnivesh, in saying that the hunger strike should be called-off now.
Key members of Team Anna at the same time termed Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha on Lokpal issue as "disappointing" since he should have said something on immediate issues raised by the Gandhian with Kiran Bedi saying "You climb hills before you reach Mt Everest."
"It's a game changing idea," Rahul told reporters outside Parliament House after he broke his silence in the Lok Sabha on the Anna Hazare issue.
Welcoming Rahul's suggestion to give Lokpal a Election Commission-type status, Activist Medha Patkar said "I earnestly support it."
Patkar said in spite of talking about the broad issue, the Congress General Secretary should have deliberated on the immediate issues raised by the Gandhian, whose fast for a strong Lokpal entered the 11th day today.
"Today's urgency and concerns for lakhs and lakhs of people have not been addressed," she said, adding "He did not comment on the Lokpal Bill that he should have courageously done.
Kiran Bedi said, "The country is impatient for action and implementation and not a mere well-intentioned long plan on issues pending since independence.
"You climb hills before you reach Mt Everest. Lokpal is a tall hill which will take you to the Everest. Begin and prove the intention," Bedi said.
Another Team Anna member Justice Santosh Hegde said Gandhi's suggestion for a constitutional body looks like a "five-year plan".
"Until the constitutional body is established there should be a stautory body to eradicate corruption. If we go on waiting we will have to wait for another 42 years," he said.
BJP while criticising Rahul's speech said he should not give sermons to the nation but persuade the Prime Minister to bring changes in the Lokpal bill.
The governor's decision late last night stoked a potential confrontation with the Narendra Modi government which had dithered on the issue of appointment of a Lokayukta for seven-and-a-half years.
The governor said she cannot remain a "mute spectator" to the happenings in the state.
The state government challenged the appointment to the Lokayukta post -- vacant since 2003 -- before the state High Court contending it was "unconstitutional and unilateral".
Mehta is a former judge of the Gujarat high court.
Non-appointment of Lokpal had become a contentious issue, with Opposition Congress and ruling BJP blaming each other for the delay.
"Although it is true that generally the Governor acts as per the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, there might be a circumstance, where Governor could not remain mute spectator to the happenings in the state and is compelled to use discretion," a statement from the Governor's office said here today.
"So...as per the provisions of section 3(1) of the Gujarat Lokayukta Act 1986, Dr Shrimati Kamla had used her power on August 25th and issued a Warrant of appointing Retd Justice R A Mehta as the Lokayukta of the state in overall interest of transparency and good governance", it added.
Directly indicting Modi government for non-appointment of Lokayukta for the last seven years, the governor further said, "Despite several reminders... for the reason best known to it, the Government was delaying the matter for one reason or other".
The state's junior law minister Pradipsinh Jadeja filed a petition in the Gujarat high court, challenging the decision as "unconstitutional and unilateral".
"We don't want Rahul's sermons. It is surprising that he is giving sermons to the nation but his party under Manmohan Singh is dilly-dallying on a strong Lokpal issue. We urge him to stop sermonising and persuade Prime Minister to bring changes in the Lokpal Bill," BJP leader Ananth Kumar said.
Team Anna today termed as "disappointing" Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament on Lokpal issue but, at the same time, supported his idea of making the anti-corruption authority a constitutional body.
Activist Medha Patkar, who is part of Anna Hazare's core group, said in spite of talking about the broad issue, the Congress General Secretary should have deliberated on the immediate issues raised by the Gandhian, whose fast for a strong Lokpal continued for 11th day.
"Today's urgency and concerns for lakhs and lakhs of people have not been addressed," she said when her reaction was sought on Gandhi's speech.
"He did not comment on the Lokpal Bill that he should have courageously done," Patkar maintained.
However, she welcomed Gandhi's suggestion to make Lokpal a constitutional body like the Election Commission. "I earnestly support it."
Another Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said, "The country is impatient for action and implementation and not a mere well- intentioned long plan on issues pending since independence.
"You climb hills before you reach Mt Everest. Lokpal is a tall hill which will take you to the Everest. Begin and prove the intention," Bedi said.
The decision to have a day-long discussion was reached at by the government after a series of consultations that saw BJP's draft motion on the Lokpal issue not finding favour with several parties including some regional outfits.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that at a meeting of party leaders several parties found BJP's motion under 184 that entails voting would divide the House and therefore almost everyone rejected parts of it.
Government sources alleged that the BJP's draft motion was prepared by Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan.
As soon as the Lok Sabha assembles for the day on Saturday, Mukherjee, who is also leader of the house, will make a statement on the issues relating to setting up of a Lokpal.
The discussion takes place on a day when when Anna Hazare's fast would have entered its 12th day. Team Anna has made it clear that he would call off his past, the moment Parliament passes a resolution containing three of demands or at least table the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Hazare's aide Prashant Bhushan, a lawyer himself, said the resolution approving the three demands of civil society--lower bureaucracy to be brought in the ambit of Lokpal, creation of Lokpal in all the states through a legislation and approval of citizens charter--has to be brought by the government formally.
Asked about possibilities of bringing forward a resolution, Bansal merely said that it was always possible and cited rule 342 of parliamentary proceedures..
The issue could be taken up in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Under rule 342, a policy or situation or statement or any other matter be taken into consideration shall not be put to the vote of the house, but the house shall proceed to discuss such matter immediately after the mover has concluded his speech.
The rule also entails that no further question shall be put at the conclusion of the debate at the appointed hour unless a member moves a substantive motion in appropriate terms to be approved by the Speaker and the vote of the house shall be taken on such motion.
The consensus of the house was important in connection with any resolution after such a debate, Bansal said.
The BJP's motion for the debate on Lokpal wanted the Prime Minister to be included under the ambit of the ombudsman and an independent mechanism for his appointment.
Bansal said the BJP gave two options to the government- either accept its demand for discussion under rule 184, which entails voting or commence it in the house after a statement by the Prime Minister or the finance minister.
A section in the government felt that holding the discussion under rule 184 will in a way tie the hands of the standing committee, which is examining the Lokpal issue.
They said that the committee, which has to give shape to a law making process, will unnecessary get a sense of its hands being tied if there is any resolution with voting on the contents of the proposed law by Parliament.
The move to take up a discussion on in the Lok Sabha on the issue turned contentious with BJP-led NDA opposing the debate under rule 193 forcing adjournment of the House for an hour.
"It is not fair to impose conditions on a democratic institution like parliament on a crucial issue like the Lokpal bill. Hazare's demand that his dictum should be accepted by parliament is demeaning," Hegde told reporters at the Freedom Park in the city centre where hundreds of activists and supporters of the anti-graft movement are staging a protest demonstration and fasting.
Noting that he no longer felt being a part of 'Team Anna' as the developments in the last 24 hours were aggravating the situation and leading to show of strength between the civil society and the government, Hegde said serving an ultimatum to parliament was not the way to fight graft as it would set a dangerous precedent.
"Telling parliament what to do within a timeframe is not the way to go about. As I believe in democratic principles, it is difficult to justify Hazare's terms for ending the fast. We should allow the democratic process to prevail," Hegde asserted.
Hegde was member of the joint panel which drafted the Lokpal bill that was referred to the standing committee after its modified version was introduced in the Lok Sabha early this month.
Reiterating his appeal to Hazare to end his fast as the latter's health and wellbeing was more important, the former Karnataka Lokayukta (ombudsman) said enacting the Lokpal bill would only be a beginning and the struggle against corruption would have to be continued till the entire system was cleansed.
"As Hazare's health is a matter of concern for all, he should end the fast immediately but carry on with the agitation to ensure that the government and lawmakers unanimously pass the Lokpal bill into an Act during this session itself in accordance with the rules of the house," Hegde added.
In the wake of Hazare's deteriorating health, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had earlier in the day held a meeting with Deshmukh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
After attending that meeting, Deshmukh went to meet Hazare at Ramlila ground, the venue for Hazare's indefinite strike.
While returning from the venue, Deshmukh told reporters that Hazare stuck to his words and said that he would break his fast only if the government discusses his tough anti-corruption proposals in the Parliament.
"Whatever he (Anna Hazare) said in the public yesterday, and whatever he has told me, he is sticking to that. He has not withdrawn or taken any step," he said.
Hazare has been on fast for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill since August 16, the day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail.
He was released the same day, but he refused to leave Tihar Jail. He shifted to Ramlila Ground here on August 19 where he has been continuing with his fast.
Hazare had earlier written a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh assuring him that he would end his fast if a resolution is passed to debate the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.
Hegde, also member of the joint drafting committee on Lokpal Bill, strongly disapproved of Hazare's insistence on "having his way" in Parliament, saying "I feel I am not in Team Anna any more by the way things are going. These (telling Parliament what to do) are not democratic things."
Asking Hazare to call off his fast that entered the 11th day on Friday, Agnivesh also made it clear that any appearance of threats to Parliament is not becoming of a Gandhian.
"This is some sort of...seen as a threat to Parliament 'you do it by tomorrow or day after'. This is not becoming of a Gandhian fast or a moment.. So this was the right moment to call it off," Agnivesh said.
Vinod Mehta, editor-in-chief of Outlook Magazine, also attacked the "a coterie" within Team Anna, accusing them of "playing with the life" of the Gandhian to press absurd demands.
"I condemn this dangerous game they are playing in the name of people's power. All right thinking people should speak up against the coterie which is leading Anna Hazare and the nation to collision course," he said.
Appealing to Hazare to end his fast in view of government's decision to discuss Jan Lokpal in Parliament, former Chief Justice of India J S Verma said continuation of Gandhian's fast may not appear "reasonable".
"In my view, there is no justification at least now for the continuance of the fast undertaken by Hazare and I appeal to him to end his fast forthwith in keeping with the national sentiments and concern for his health."
Verma had earlier written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to discuss the drafts already prepared by sections of civil society and in the public domain, including those by the Team Anna and the Aruna Roy team as the first step to end the imbroglio.
Actress and social activist Shabana Azmi has also asked Anna to end his fast, saying that insisting on the Jan Lokpal Bill was not right.
Anna's epic fast: In pics
Amidst concerns over the continuing standoff between Anna Hazare and Government on the Lokpal issue, hope runs high that Anna may end his marathon fast soon. As Anna's fast entered the 11th day, the Gandhian lost seven kilos. Doctors say that he appears to be healthy.
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Anna waves to supporters as India's flag flutters at Ramlila grounds in New Delhi.
My Lokpal draft is similar to what Rahul Gandhi proposed in Lok Sabha: TN Seshan
My Lokpal draft is similar to what Rahul Gandhi proposed in Lok Sabha: TN Seshan
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According to the former election commissioner, the Lokpal should be a constitutional body on the pattern of the Election Commission.
"The majority of the Lokpal members should be non-government officials. The selection of the Lokpal member should invite confidence. The members should be selected by a unanimous decision and there should be no voting on it"
"At the sate level, Lokayuktas can be formed on the line of state high courts," added TN Seshan.
To maintain the autonomy of the institution of the Lokpal, the former CEC said that the Lokpal members should removed by an impeachment process, similar to the removal of the SC judges.
Seshan said that he has sent his Lokpal draft to spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar.
"It is for Sri Sri to pass on my Lokpal draft to whoever he wants," Seshan said.
More stories from this edition of Lokpal Bill
Text of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha Friday on the issue of corruption:
Madam Speaker,
I have been deeply distressed at the developments of the last few days. Many aspects of the situation have caused me anguish. We are all aware that corruption is pervasive. It operates at every level. The poor may carry its greatest burden but it is an affliction that every Indian is desperate to be rid of. Fighting corruption is as integral to eliminating poverty as is Mahatma Gandhi NREGA or the Land Acquisition Bill. Yet it is equally imperative to the growth and development of our nation.
Madam Speaker, we cannot wish away corruption by the mere desire to see it removed from our lives. This requires a comprehensive framework of action and a concerted political programme supported by all levels of the state from the highest to the lowest. Most importantly, it requires firm political will.
Madam Speaker, in the past few years I have travelled the length and breadth of our country. I have met scores of countrymen, rich and poor, old and young, privileged and disempowered who have expressed their disillusionment to me. In the last few months, Annaji has helped the people to articulate this same sentiment. I thank him for that.
I believe that the real question before us as representatives of the people of India today is whether we are prepared to take the battle against corruption head on? It is not a matter of how the present impasse will resolve, it is a much greater battle. There are no simple solutions. To eradicate corruption demands a far deeper engagement and sustained commitment from each one of us.
Witnessing the events of the last few days it would appear that the enactment of a single bill will usher in a corruption-free society. I have serious doubts about this belief. An effective Lokpal law is only one element in the legal framework to combat corruption. The Lokpal institution alone cannot be a substitute for a comprehensive anti-corruption code.
A set of effective laws is required. Laws that address the following critical issues are necessary to stand alongside the Lok Pal initiative:
(1) Government funding of elections and political parties,
(2) Transparency in public procurement,
(3) Proper regulation of sectors that fuel corruption like land and mining,
(4) Grievance redress mechanisms in public service delivery of old-age pensions and ration cards; and
(5) Continued tax reforms to end tax evasion.
We owe it to the people of this country to work together across party lines to ensure that parliament functions at its optimum capacity and delivers these laws in a just and timebound manner. We speak of a statutory Lokpal but our discussions cease at the point of its accountability to the people and the risk that it might itself become corrupt. Madam Speaker, why not elevate the debate and fortify the Lokpal by making it a constitutional body accountable to parliament like the Election Commission of India?
I feel the time has come for us to seriously consider this idea. Madam Speaker, laws and institutions are not enough. A representative, inclusive and accessible democracy is central to fighting corruption. Individuals have brought our country great gains. They have galvanized people in the cause of freedom and development. However, individual dictates, no matter how well intentioned, must not weaken the democratic process. This process is often lengthy and lumbering. But it is so in order to be inclusive and fair. It provides a representative and transparent platform where ideas are translated into laws.
A tactical incursion, divorced from the machinery of an elected government that seeks to undo the checks and balances created to protect the supremacy of parliament sets a dangerous precedent for a democracy. Today the proposed law is against corruption. Tomorrow the target may be something less universally heralded. It may attack the plurality of our society and democracy.
India's biggest achievement is our democratic system. It is the life force of our nation. I believe we need more democracy within our political parties. I believe in government funding of our political parties. I believe in empowering our youth; in opening the doors of our closed political system; in bringing fresh blood into politics and into this house. I believe in moving our democracy deeper and deeper into our villages and our cities.
I know my faith in our democracy is shared by members of this house. I know that regardless of their political affiliation, many of my colleagues work tirelessly to realize the ideals upon which our nation was built.
The pursuit of truth is the greatest of those ideals. It won us our freedom. It gave us our democracy. Let us commit ourselves to truth and probity in public life. We owe it to the people of India.
Mayawati dares Team Anna: Form a party and contest 2014 LS polls
Ashish TripathiAshish Tripathi, TNN | Aug 26, 2011, 09.43PM ISTLUCKNOW: UP chief minister Mayawati took a U-turn on Friday and said that Anna Hazare should withdraw his protests and contest 2014 Lok Sabha elections and push for his version of Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament. Earlier, she had supported Anna's fight against corruption but the turn around came after a dalit organization held a rally in Delhi on Thursday to oppose Team Anna's version of Janlokpal as casteist.
The organization also criticize
d Mayawati for supporting Anna's movement. Mayawati said that since there is no consensus on Jan Lokpal Bill in the country at present, her suggestion is that Team Anna should form a party and contest 2014 Lok Sabha elections. After winning elections, Team Anna should form their government and bring Jan Lokpal of their choice, she added sarcastically.
Mayawati said that the Lokpal institution must have representation of dalits, minorities and other sections of society. She said that her party will not support Lokpal institution till ensured that it has representation of all castes and faiths. Mayawati also said the right to constitute Lokayukta institution in the states should be left to state governments. She said her government has always fought against corruption and continue to do in future. She said she has already taken action against several ministers after they were accused of indulging in corruption.
Mayawati said that UP already has implemented citizen charter by way of Janhit guarantee law which prescribes time bound services to people, hence there is no need to impose any central law on the state. On August 17, Mayawati had said that her party has been supporting Anna's agitation against corruption since the beginning. She had said that Central government should invite civil society for talks and reach a consensus on the issue of the Lokpal. Maya had also described Anna's arrest by the Delhi police as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Mayawati-dares-Team-Anna-Form-a-party-and-contest-2014-LS-polls/articleshow/9749285.cms
Maya supports fight against corruption
TNN | Aug 18, 2011, 03.30AM ISTLUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BSP supremo Mayawati on Wednesday supported Anna Hazare's fight against corruption. She, however, clarified that though she was all for cleansing corruption from public life as it was the evil plaguing the nation she did not approve Team Anna's way of agitation.
The party's statement came immediately after the chief minister accepted the resignation of minister of state for animal husbandry and dairy development Awadhpal Singh Yadav. It emphasized that the BSP supported all organizations which raised voice against graft.
After Yadav's resignation, Mayawati said that her party had always been against corruption and criminalization of politics. She also said that the BSP had been supporting Anna's agitation against corruption since the beginning. She said that Central government should invite civil society for talks and reach a consensus on the issue of the Lokpal.
Maya also described Anna's arrest by the Delhi police as unconstitutional and undemocratic. The BSP, she said, was formed only because all other political parties which ruled the country after independence failed to serve the people, particularly the poor masses and downtrodden, with honesty and dedication.
Maya said that the BSP government was the only one in the country which sent its own party MLAs, MPs and minister to jail after they were found involved in corruption and criminal activities. She got her MP Umakant Yadav arrested in 2007 when he was accused of land grabbing. Similarly, Maya said, she sacked minister Anandsen Yadav soon after he was accused of murder. She also took action against over a dozen MLAs booked for various crimes, the party statement said.
Mayawati also claimed that she set an example by recommending CAG audit in the alleged National Rural Health Mission scam and CBI probe into murder of two chief medical officers (CMO) and mysterious death of a deputy CMO in Lucknow jail. So far, she had removed four ministers on corruption charges - Rajesh Tripathi, Anant Kumar Mishra, Babu Singh Kushwaha and Awadhpal Singh Yadav. Interestingly, Maya had won 2007 assembly elections on the issue of 'poor law and order' during the SP regime. But BSP itself fielded over 131 candidates having criminal cases, of which 63 won.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Maya-supports-fight-against-corruption/articleshow/9642404.cms
Resolution is not legislation, says Pranab
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday once again appealed to Anna Hazare to end his fast while making it clear that the Government is not going to withdraw its Lokpal Bill, but was willing to amend it. Speaking to Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate, Mukherjee said that adopting a resolution does not mean that the legislation has been passed.
Below is the full transcript of the Devil's Advocate with Pranab Mukherjee:
Karan Thapar: Hello and welcome to Devil's Advocate in a special interview with the Finance Minister and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee.
Mr Mukherjee today as we speak there's a perception that the government has been boxed into a corner by Anna Hazare. Would you accept that? Or do you believe, and, are you confident that within a reasonable space of time you can find a solution that will end his fast and encourage him to give up his Ramlila agitation?
Pranab Mukherjee: We are always trying to find a solution, even from his threat to agitation. If you recollect the chronology of the events, when he sat at hunger strike in Jantar Mantar in the month of April, government representatives talked to him through his interlocutors and then we agreed to have the joint drafting committee. The joint drafting committee met nine times, starting from April 16 to June 22. We discussed the modalities first. Then they gave us the basic principles of Jan Lokpal Bill and it was agreed upon that if we have convergence of views, on those basic principles, giving the legal language, to draft the legislation would not be a problem. Out of the 40 basic principles which Sri Anna Hazare and his associates, who were members of the committee nominated by him, he nominated four members plus himself. All these are known to you. The short point which I am trying to drive at is that out of 40 as many as 26 basic principles, there was an agreement. There were seven basic principles, on which in-principle agreement was there, but, there was further discussion necessary. There were seven to eight points on which we had agreement but it required editorial changes. But after that again they went back and in the final meeting, one meeting before the final meeting they said 'no-no you give your draft to Parliament, we will give our draft to Parliament'. It was agreed that we will give their draft to Parliament, and I told them the entire parliamentary procedure. Therefore, in that background, even after that he has sat on strike. We are negotiating with him. The government is not in a box, but the government is sincerely trying to resolve the issue. And, we are having discussions with his representatives; I hope it would be possible to arrive at an agreed solution.
Karan Thapar: Now yesterday, in his speech in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister proposed a discussion in Parliament on all the different versions of the Lokpal Bill that are in the public domain. It was expected that that debate would start today, but it didn't. Will the debate happen tomorrow, Saturday, or is it not going to happen till Monday?
Pranab Mukherjee: We will try to have it tomorrow. But, normally when the members of Parliament, they decide to sit on Saturday, they decide to sit on Saturday to transgress the government business, but that will not stand in the way. We may have the debate tomorrow. But the question is that after the debate, in this debate what we are asking, what he wanted us to have that let the members of Parliament discuss the basic principles of his Jan Lokpal Bill, the areas of convergence, the areas of divergence. But after that these discussions will ultimately have to be taken into consideration by the appropriate Standing Committee while formulating the recommendations to the Lokpal Bill which have been referred to them.
Karan Thapar: Absolutely. Now, as you know Minister today Anna Hazare has sent a letter to the Prime Minister saying that his conditions for giving up his fast is that Parliament must pass a resolution accepting, in his terms, what he calls the three sticking points which are the Lokayukta, the citizen's charter and the lower bureaucracy. But the problem is that the majority of parties in Parliament are not in agreement with his terms for these three points. So, how serious a problem do you have?
Pranab Mukherjee: This is a real serious problem which we are unable to convince the associates of Sri Anna Hazare, when we have had discussions, that Congress party doesn't have a clear absolute majority of its own. Secondly, legislation is to be passed by majority members of Parliament. Even the recommendation which will come from the Standing Committee, there too it will have to be endorsed, all those recommendations by the majority members of the Standing Committee. Therefore, these are the absolute necessity to get a legislation passed. Therefore, we require the support and cooperation of all political parties. Here you have noticed, after yesterday's Prime Minister's speech and when Prime Minister requested Sri Anna Hazare to give up his fast, it was endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition and every political party consented to it. Just a day before that all political parties, in a meeting, in a short resolution, requested Sri Anna Hazare to end his fast and also ask the government to take into account and consider the salient points of the Jan Lokpal Bill. All these are in the domain of public knowledge.
Karan Thapar: Absolutely. I will come the all-party resolution in a moment's time. As you know, Anna Hazare's team is publicly claiming that they have met the BJP, they met the Left and the BJP and the Left supports them. But I have spoken to the very top leadership of both parties and they say that in fact, Anna's team is watering down its demands, it's amending and changing its position on critical issues. Do you in the conversations you are having privately with Anna's people have the same impression that despite what they are saying in public, behind the scenes is Anna and his team climbing down and becoming more reasonable?
Pranab Mukherjee: I would not like to make any comment on what is going on because you know during negotiations we share many views, many points come out, but ultimately, the points on which we have convergence we say that. The point is that Parliament is an open forum. All political parties, either in Parliament or in the Committee of Parliament will have to give their views in public and it will be recorded.
Karan Thapar: The problem is this Minister, can you devise a resolution, which Parliament can agree, which will satisfy both Anna and his team, as well as the majority of the members of Parliament? Can you create a resolution that will satisfy both when there are clear differences on those three sticking points?
Pranab Mukherjee: No, no, if they want a resolution on these three issues, but these resolutions means what. Resolution means that these three issues have to be put in proper law, these have to be enacted. Resolution is the expression of the intention, for instance Lokayukta. They are asking that there should be a common Lokpal which will take care of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta at state, but this is, even if Parliament passes a resolution and it is not adequate, it will have to be enacted in the form of a regular legislation.
Karan Thapar: Which means that actually all this insistence on a resolution is a little mistaken, if not misleading, because after the resolution comes the enactment. The resolution is no commitment of enactment?
Pranab Mukherjee: No, resolution is commitment but it will have to be followed by the enactment.
Karan Thapar: And there, there can be problems because different parties have different views and you don't have a majority.
Pranab Mukherjee: No, no, there are what would happen, we can tackle it at that stage, but due process of the legislation you cannot bypass. Resolution would be the expression of intention that we will pass the resolution. I will just give you an example. Many years ago I came to Parliament for the first time then, 19969-1970. A private member tabled a resolution in Rajya Sabha that privy purse be abolished. It was carried unanimous, then government said that this resolution is not enough to abolish privy purse, due legislation will have to be brought and everybody agreed. Therefore, it had to be followed by constitutional amendments. Similarly, even if resolution is passed, say tomorrow or by Monday, after that the legislative process will have to continue.
Karan Thapar: Except that here, they want a resolution about things like citizens charter and Lokayukta in the states and many parties believe that Parliament doesn't have a right in our federal structure to legislate for the states. Parliament creating legislation that affects the citizen's charter or the Lokayukta will intervene and transgress. Isn't that a problem for you? How do you create a resolution of intent?
Pranab Mukherjee: No, apart from that, these things are not in secrecy or in confidence. When the discussions with representatives Sri Anna Hazare were going on in the joint drafting committee, I wrote letters to all 28 chief ministers posing certain questions where we had the differences with Sri Anna Hazare and his team. One of the question was that do you want a common Lokpal Bill and to convert it into your Lokayukta Bill, which will be enacted by Parliament. Large number of states have stated that they have, either they have already their own Lokayukta Act and they would like to stick to it, and quite a few of them stated that 'we will like to have our legislation'.
Karan Thapar: Quite right. So what you're saying in effect is that even a resolution that expresses intent will be difficult to achieve if satisfying Anna and his team is the criteria you have to meet?
Pranab Mukherjee: No, we can do if they agree, sometimes we have, we can make a model legislation. Here in this case, we can make a model legislation on the pattern of the Lokpal. If some states desire, they will have to pass their act in the state assembly, but, they can use the model and on the same model they can pass their own Lokayukta Act.
Karan Thapar: This is the way around both the citizen's charter and the Lokayukta, Parliament can recommend to the states but the states have a right to refuse?
Pranab Mukherjee: And the states will have to, even if they agree, they will have to make their own legislation.
Karan Thapar: But, you're still left with the problem of lower bureaucracy? Because there the BJP is entirely with you, they believe that lower bureaucracy should not be covered and I believe even the Left party have argued that the lower bureaucracy should not be covered.
Pranab Mukherjee: Apart from that this cannot be dealt merely with a resolution that is a part of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Jan Lokpal Bill is being considered by the standing committee. On the basic provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill, members of Parliament who are participating in this debate are expected to give their views. I am quite confident that their views will be taken into account by the members of the relevant parliamentary standing committee while formulating their views on the recommendations they will for the legislation. So, these issues are to be brought in the form of the legislation.
Karan Thapar: And not resolution? I agree. You know Minister, intelligent people, who understand Parliament, will listen to you and say that actually finding a solution that will satisfy Anna is not going to easy because he wants you to pass resolutions that effect matters that are in the state domain. He wants you to pass resolutions on subjects where all the political parties disagree with him. So it's not going to be easy to find a solution.
Pranab Mukherjee: You know in our Constitution, except Parliament and state assemblies, nobody can legislate. Therefore, this is the area and this is the constitutional scheme if you are to run administration as per the constitutional provisions, you have no other option.
Karan Thapar: But in other words what you are saying is that there is a bit of a struggle ahead? You have to find ways of overcoming it?
Pranab Mukherjee: I am, we are trying our best to convince him, to persuade him that he should give up his fast. He should give us more time because this is not for the first time I am saying, even during the discussions in the joint drafting committee, I mentioned it umpteen number of times that it will take time and as Congress party doesn't have majority of votes of it own, we shall have to carry others with us. Therefore, we can introduce the Bill in the Monsoon Session but we cannot give you guarantee that the Bill will be passed by Parliament in the Monsoon Session.
Karan Thapar: The problem you have Minister, is that you have a difficult knot to untie but you have a deadline because Anna Hazare is in now into the 11th day of his fast, tomorrow, Saturday, will be the 12th. At some stage, god forbid, his health will begin to decline sharply, there is a sword hanging over you but the knot is impossible to untie easily.
Pranab Mukherjee: That is why we are requesting him to end the fast.
Karan Thapar: Now Minister, you also mentioned the all-party resolution that was passed on Wednesday, it spoke about a final draft bill. Is this implicit acceptance that the present bill before Parliament will either be, at some stage, withdrawn or will be so extensively amended that what will emerge is in effect a new bill?
Pranab Mukherjee: Obviously it will be amended because when we are saying, in the all-party resolution, and when we are saying that all the view points expressed by the members of Parliament while participating in Jan Lokpal and other related matters, through a discussion in Parliament. The Parliamentary Standing Committee will have to take into account these views and therefore, they will make the recommendations which means amendment of the Lokpal Bill which is under their consideration for the time being.
Karan Thapar: This is a very important point you're making which many people may not have appreciated on Wednesday night when the all-party resolution came out, so I am in a sense underlining it. You are saying to me that in fact the present Bill will either be extensively amended or it's possible that a new bill may replace it at some point of time altogether?
Pranab Mukherjee: No. we are not thinking of replacing it by a new bill because there is scope, and again it will be time consuming.
Karan Thapar: So this one will be amended?
Pranab Mukherjee: So it will be better to have amendments the way Parliamentary Standing Committee wants. After the amendments recommended by them, then again the whole House will get the opportunity to accept those amendments or reject it.
Karan Thapar: Now in fact the all-party resolution also said that 'due consideration to the Jan Lokpal will be given in devising the final draft bill'. Does that mean that substantial sections of the Jan Lokpal Bill could be part of the final draft bill?
Pranab Mukherjee: Already the bill which we have, that's why I was giving you the reference, the bill which we have introduced which under consideration of the Parliamentary Standing Committee contains a large number of provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Karan Thapar: But now it could contain more?
Pranab Mukherjee: It could contain more. It will be more.
Karan Thapar: Substantially more in fact.
Pranab Mukherjee: I don't want to qualify whether it will substantially or not. But the fact of the matter is that large number of the provisions of the Lokpal Bill which is under consideration of the Parliamentary Standing Committee contains the provisions on which we had agreement.
Karan Thapar: Are there any elements or sections or clauses of the Jan Lokpal Bill which would be absolutely unacceptable to you?
Pranab Mukherjee: You know what we pointed out that if you have the structure of the Lokpal which will deal with the corruption aspect in its entirety of the Central government from top to down below, Cabinet Secretary to a railway gangman, or a postal peon who delivers a letter, it would be very difficult to manage. There is a question of practicality. When you enact a law it must be practical, it must be implementable. Therefore, we suggested that if you could implement these provisions of the Lokpal, which is a very powerful organistaion, which is independent, whose expenditure will not voted by Parliament but will be charged. Therefore, let them concentrate on important cases and the other cases can be dealt by the CVC.
Karan Thapar: Quite right. If I understand you correctly size and practicality is your concern which also suggests that incorporating the lower bureaucracy is one element of the Jan Lokpal that you will find difficult to accept because then the Lokpal will become too big, too unyielding?
Pranab Mukherjee: And apart from that Lokpal as per our concept and which has been stated in the legislation also, is a quasi judicial body. Now, how Supreme Court functions? Supreme Court functions as one member of the bench, two member of the bench, three members of the bench. They represent the government. But here, when you are discussing corruption, you will have to delegate this authority to a series of officers you are going to appoint.
Karan Thapar: That also is not acceptable to you?
Pranab Mukherjee: No, it is difficult. The point which I am talking of is difficult. There is no guarantee; people will not come from heaven. The sources from where you recruit civil servants, government officials, state government and central government officers, from the same sources people will be recruited from. But, if you have enormous power without any change…
Karan Thapar: It could be misused.
Pranab Mukherjee: It could be instead of, apart from the impracticability of the implementation, it would create a situation where it would be extremely difficult that the very purpose may be lost.
Karan Thapar: Absolutely. This is a second area where a clause of the Jan Lokpal Bill would not be acceptable. Let me end by putting this to you, you have explained in considerable detail the government's position, how you are going to tackle the difficult problem of creating a resolution that would satisfy Anna Hazare, the areas where you have serious differences that you cannot resolve over the Jan Lokpal Bill. At the end of it all the problem is that many people in the country just say today the impression is that the government is on the backfoot and defeated, Anna is victorious. Does that worry you? Two-and-a-half years into your term people are calling this a defeated government.
Pranab Mukherjee: No. that is an elected government, in our society, elected by the people. Sometimes there maybe that some of the actions of the government may not be liked by the people, government will have to survive. Sometimes people will appreciate the actions of the government. It is nothing new. Therefore, I am not unnecessarily worried over it. But I am saying this again the health of Shri Anna Hazare and the current agitation which is going on, which is not good for the country.
Karan Thapar: Do you think the credibility and authority of the government, and perhaps in particular, the image and standing of the Prime Minister have suffered in the last 10, 12 days?
Pranab Mukherjee: I don't think so.
Karan Thapar: At all ?
Pranab Mukherjee: We have, no, that is what the people to judge, but the fact of the matter is what is reasonable, what is proper, the government is doing it from day one, from the month of April. From April, May, June, July, August - till today government is acting judiciously, trying to reach Shri Anna Hazare with the rational approach and trying to convince him and his colleagues.
Karan Thapar: So there are no second thoughts, no regrets in the way this has been handled?
Pranab Mukherjee: Why are you bringing these extraneous issues? We are explaining the situation. I am not sitting on a value judgment. I leave it to you. That is your job, not my job.
Karan Thapar: Are you worried that Anna may have set a precedent? And you may have now more such protests, more such rallies, more occasions where hundreds of thousands or 20000 or 30000 come out?
Pranab Mukherjee: You know the movement in our country, protests is the right guaranteed by the Constitution provided it doesn't lead to the breakdown of law and order. So protest is nothing new.
Karan Thapar: Minister a pleasure talking to you.
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As anti-corruption fast continues, some question effectiveness
- Activist Anna Hazare is holding a hunger strike as part of an anti-corruption protest
- Campaigners say they want tougher legislation to deal with graft Indians face
- The Jan Lokpal bill is a civil society-backed version of the government's Lokpal bill
New Delhi(CNN) -- An anti-corruption fast by activist Anna Hazare entered its sixth day Sunday, galvanizing thousands of supporters frustrated with rampant graft throughout India, though some observers said Hazare's methods amount to dictating terms to democratic institutions.
"The youth are our national power. ... And what I find significant in this 'revolution' is that the youth are standing behind it," Hazare told a crowd Sunday at the open-air venue of his hunger strike to demand a Lokpal, or citizen ombudsman with sweeping powers, to try to stem graft and corruption.
"I am now feeling confident that not only a Lokpal will be created but corruption too will be eradicated completely," Hazare said.
In a dramatic comment, Hazare, a former soldier, said public gatherings were superior to the elected parliament as he made a rare appeal for sit-ins outside the homes of lawmakers until they agree to his version of the Lokpal bill that the government has not accepted in full.
"I request the citizens of this country to hold sit-ins at the homes of parliamentarians from their areas to make them give a written commitment for the Lokpal," he said.
"Why? Because the people's parliament is over and above New Delhi's parliament. It is this people's parliament that has created that (elected) parliament," Hazare added.
A constitutional expert and an activist, however, disapproved of the activist's tactics and foresaw little solution to the corruption issue by setting up one more watchdog in a country that already has several of them to tackle the endemic problem.
"Mr Hazare is well within his rights to hold protests. But to say, 'You accept my bill and nothing else,' might amount to coercing the government and parliament," constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap said.
He, however, described Hazare's support base as a clear indication of public disaffection with chronic corruption.
"I think most of the people may (not know) what Lokpal or Jan Lokpal bills are and about their implications. They have hit the streets because they are frustrated with this corruption and also with the government's handling of the whole issue," Kashyap said.
Nonetheless, he warned that democratic bodies should be allowed to work in accordance with laid-down norms.
"In the name of corruption, you cannot demolish democratic institutions. You cannot throw the baby with the bath-water," Kashyap said.
Experts also believe the South Asian nation was required to carry out a range of reforms to overhaul its systems.
"Corruption is a systemic problem. A Lokpal may be curative, but it can't be preventive as far as corruption is concerned. We need systemic, administrative and, above all, political and electoral reforms," Kashyap added.
On Saturday, a leading civil-rights activist, Aruna Roy, echoed similar views on Hazare's campaign.
"I think (Hazare) is ill-advised. Anyone who says, 'My view should be the only view,' is wrong," said Roy of the National Campaign for People's Right to Information.
"We must assert our rights. But to get rid of these (democratic) institutions would be a great disaster for all the people in this country," she warned.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/08/21/india.hunger.strike/
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Govt Bill won't be replaced, only amended: Pranab
New Delhi: Government on Friday ruled out replacing its Lokpal Bill with another, saying it will be better to have amendments to the one already introduced.
- 13%87%
"We are not thinking of replacing it (official bill) by a new bill because it will take time. It will be better to have amendments. After the Standing Committee recommends the amendments, there will be an opportunity for Parliament to reject it," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the media.
Saying he was "seriously worried" about Hazare's health, he appealed to him to end the fast. He dismissed a suggestion that the government has been boxed into a corner, saying sometimes some actions of the government may not be liked by the people. "It is nothing new but the current agitation is not good," he said.
Asked whether the amendments could substantially change the official bill, he said the legislation, which is under consideration of the Standing Committee, already has a large number of provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
"It could be improved but I do not want to say whether this will be substantially different or not," he said. On the demand of the civil society for including lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal legislation, Mukherjee said the Jan Lokpal wants to cover right from Cabinet Secretary to Railway Gangman and Postman.
"It will be very difficult to manage. There is a question of practicality. Whenever you enact a law, it should be practical and it should be implementable."
He said the government had suggested that Lokpal could be made very powerful and independent with expenditure charged.
Source: PTI
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