New Delhi: It's almost certain now that Anna Hazare will end his fast this evening. The 74-year-old activist is on the 12th day of his hunger strike. A debate in Parliament is expected to conclude with the acceptance of Anna's three demands for a new Lokpal or ombudsman committee in charge of investigating complaints against government servants.
Anna has said he will not end his fast till Parliament passes a resolution accepting three must-have powers for the Lokpal. The draft of this resolution - prepared by the government in collaboration with Anna's associates - includes these three demands. Sources say the Opposition including the BJP's Arun Jaitley have reviewed this resolution. BJP leaders in their speeches during the Lokpal debate have said they back these features. Anna's representatives are meeting with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at Parliament where the debate on the Lokpal Bill is underway.
Anna's trio of essentials include bringing all Central government employees, including junior bureaucrats under the purview of the Lokpal. He also wants the Lokpal model to be replicated in states. Finally, he wants a citizen's charter to be displayed in all government departments. This notice will list the duties of that department and provide for punishment for under-performance.
Of these, the inclusion of junior bureaucrats in the ambit of the Lokpal has been the most contentious for the government, which has been keen on an effective alternative mechanism. The government has said that if one body - the Lokpal - covers junior bureaucrats, it could lead to an over-endowment of powers for the agency and lead to a new version of the "Police Raj".
Anna has said he will not end his fast till Parliament passes a resolution accepting three must-have powers for the Lokpal. The draft of this resolution - prepared by the government in collaboration with Anna's associates - includes these three demands. Sources say the Opposition including the BJP's Arun Jaitley have reviewed this resolution. BJP leaders in their speeches during the Lokpal debate have said they back these features. Anna's representatives are meeting with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at Parliament where the debate on the Lokpal Bill is underway.
Anna's trio of essentials include bringing all Central government employees, including junior bureaucrats under the purview of the Lokpal. He also wants the Lokpal model to be replicated in states. Finally, he wants a citizen's charter to be displayed in all government departments. This notice will list the duties of that department and provide for punishment for under-performance.
Of these, the inclusion of junior bureaucrats in the ambit of the Lokpal has been the most contentious for the government, which has been keen on an effective alternative mechanism. The government has said that if one body - the Lokpal - covers junior bureaucrats, it could lead to an over-endowment of powers for the agency and lead to a new version of the "Police Raj".
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