The Jan Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare, and Baba Ramdev II

somaz · Post by **somaz** » 07 Dec 2011 19:13

This was our Hon 'Hume' minister PC's first attempt at cleaning up the media - Oh Those Happy Days Are Here Again !

Tuesday, August 30, 1988 - something undesirable, uncalled for and unexpected happened . The Lok Sabha passed the Defamation Bill, in haste, without taking into consideration the opinion and views of the people, the Press and the Opposition. Never before such an attempt was made by any democratic Government to curb the freedom of the Press, trample the rights of the people and cripple the Opposition.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 07 Dec 2011 19:16

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=743647

Sharad Pawar's retort to Anna Hazare...

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today lashed out at Anna Hazare for his remarks justifying the recent physical attack on him, saying any further assault on him would be amply clear from where the instigation emanates.

However, in a statement, he appealed to his followers that Hazare's views and utterances should be addressed maturely and with restraint and should indulge in any retaliatory violence.

Pawar's statement came in response to a blog posting by Hazare in which he attacked the NCP chief saying he has an "old habit of protecting corrupt people" and one should think why he was attacked.

"I have no objection to Shri Hazare expressing his thoughts regarding me or my actions. However, in the event of any further physical assault on me, it would be amply clear from where the instigation or encouragement for such acts emanates.

"In the recent past, Shri Hazare by supporting the physical assault on me at a public function has given a new definition to the concept of 'Gandhism' and 'non-violence'," he said.

Pawar also said while he was hurt at the "vituperative" views expressed Hazare, he would still appeal to all that his views or utterances should be addressed maturely and with restraint and no one should indulge any sort of retaliatory violence of word or deed.

Referring to Hazare's views on the Justice Sawant Commission report and the allegation that he had over the years given protection to corrupt individuals, the minister said the report has no direct or indirect reference to him.

Moreover, all the ministers indicted in the report have already tendered their resignation, he said adding, "it is ironical though that no action seems to have been taken on the issue of maladministration and corruption."

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 07 Dec 2011 19:21

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=743639

Lashing out at Abhishek Singhvi on the draft Lokpal Bill, Team Anna today accused the Congress leader of dis-respecting Parliament by going against its commitment of including lower bureaucracy and Citizens' Charter in the ambit of the ombudsman.

Activist Arvind Kejriwal said Singhvi, the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lokpal Bill, was disrespecting Parliament by not abiding by the assurances given in a resolution passed by Parliament during Anna Hazare's fast to include lower bureaucracy and Citizens' Charter in Lokpal.

"Parliament passed resolution during Anna's fast to include lower bureaucracy and Citzens' Charter in Lokpal. Now, Abhishek Manu Singhvi is disrespecting Parliament by violating it," Kejriwal said. The panel has recommended exclusion of lower bureaucracy and Citizens' Charter from Lokpal Bill.

He claimed that the recommendations of the Standing Committee will not have any impact on corruption but instead it will dismantle the existing anti-graft mechanism.

"I think the recommendations of the (Parliamentary) Standing Committee, whatever they are, the Lokpal which is coming, I don't think this will have any impact on corruption. On the contrary, it is likely to dismantle whatever exists in the name of anti-corruption in this country," he said.

Another Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said opposition parties should come together on Lokpal issue the way in which they did so on FDI issue.

She also indicated that inclusion of Prime Minister under Lokpal may not remain their priority, saying bringing CBI under the ombudsman will make anti-corruption efforts more effective than any other measure.

Bedi said Lokpal without CBI is a "sabotaged Lokpal" which will defeat the very purpose of setting up such a mechanism.

"More than the Prime Minister, it is the CBI in Lokpal which will make it effective. Let's not get distracted. A united Opposition can call the bluff," she said.

She said CBI under Lokpal means all corruption exposed and "many embarrassed, losing false images. Will they vote against themselves?" She said Lokpal was supposed to be replacing government control over CBI.

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 08 Dec 2011 12:13

Google India gets Income-Tax Dept notice for not revealing correct revenues

MUMBAI: Around the same time Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal was planning to pull up Google, the Income-Tax Department was giving the final touches to a tax demand on the Indian arm of the global search engine company.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tec ... 025572.cms

Facebook, Google tell India they won’t screen for derogatory content

Sibal’s move did not come as a surprise for some observers in India, which has the third-largest Internet-user community in the world--more than 100 million people. Earlier this year, India introduced new rules that called on Web sites, service providers and search engines to not host information that could be regarded as “harmful, “blasphemous” or “disparaging.” The rules also called on Web sites to remove offensive material within 36 hours of a complaint.

“I can’t believe a democracy is doing this,” said Sunil Abraham, executive director of India’s Center for Internet and Society. He said recent, unpublished research conducted by the group showed that “such rules have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression on the Internet.” Researchers sent mock take-down notices to seven sites, complaining about their content. Abraham said six sites immediately deleted content. “They did not even verify the validity of our flawed complaint. They over-complied,” he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blo ... _blog.html

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 08 Dec 2011 12:46

Apparently this is the pic that is causing Takleef to the Kaangressis -

@DelhiDean Dean Nelson
does the the world's biggest democracy really think this cartoon satire is offensive?tinyurl.com/83tepna

http://twitter.com/#!/DelhiDean/status/ ... 6210860032

The New York Times revealed on December 5 that Kapil Sibal had summoned Facebook officials and showed them a Facebook page that allegedly maligned Congress president Sonia Gandhi, saying that this was unacceptable. While HRD officials refused to reveal much in that NYT copy, they must have realised that shit has hit the fan, because in a newspaper report on Tuesday morning the spin doctoring was clear: there was now a mention of allegedly derogatory pictures of Prophet Muhammad along with the Prime Minister and the Congress President (who are no doubt as sacred in his books as Prophet Muhammad.) ...

Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday that as someone at the receiving end of online abuse, he did not support censorship. Quickly, he corrected himself, saying that he had spoken to Sibal and had heard with great horror what riot-inciting material he had found online.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kapi ... 63107.html

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 08 Dec 2011 13:53

^ Pranav and Pranay Ji..can you post the above 2 posts in the media thread?

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 08 Dec 2011 19:17

FIR against Magoo ..yyipppeeeeeeee

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 09 Dec 2011 19:10

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16104880

A report on a controversial bill to set up an anti-corruption watchdog has been submitted in India's parliament.

The bill was tabled in parliament in August but was sent to a panel of MPs after protests from anti-corruption activists who said it was too weak.

Anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare has rejected the new draft too, saying it does not go far enough as it does not include lower-level bureaucracy.

He has announced plans to call a one-day strike in Delhi on 11 December.

somaz · Post by **somaz** » 09 Dec 2011 23:19

Do not mean to OT , but does he have 2 sets of eye brows?

Had to milk this a bit more, High Brow / Low Brow ?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 10 Dec 2011 00:02

Is he covert Hindutva?

Its all a plot.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 10 Dec 2011 00:13

somaz wrote:Do not mean to OT , but does he have 2 sets of eye brows?

Had to milk this a bit more, High Brow / Low Brow ?

The "High Brow" is actually a bandage... he missed poking himself in the eye...

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 10 Dec 2011 00:19

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=743871

Accusing the Parliamentary panel on Lokpal of fooling people, Team Anna today questioned the credibility of its report, claiming only 12 of the 30 MPs supported its proposals, even as government asked the activists to hold back any agitation till the bill is passed.

Anna Hazare, who has threatened to go on a day-long agitation at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday, alleged that the proposals will not help in fighting graft and repeated his charge that Rahul Gandhi was behind the watered down recommendations.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal wondered about the credibility of a report supported by "Lalu Prasad, Amar Singh and rest from Mayawati's BSP".

"The issues remain the same. This means the Parliamentary Standing Committee has fooled the public. Their report does not help in fighting corruption," Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi.

Kejriwal said in New Delhi, "Standing Committee had 30 members. Two never attended. Sixteen dissented. So this report is supported by balance 12. Seven are from Congress, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Amar Singh and rest from Mayawati's BSP. So much for credibility of this report."

However, panel chairman Abishek Singhvi had earlier said that the a dissent note by an MP does not mean that he or she is against the entire report and they may be expressing their reservations against one or more points.

Appealing to Hazare not to go ahead with his fast on Sunday in protest against exclusion of his key demands like bringing lower bureaucracy under Lokpal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal said, "They should all wait for a decision in Parliament. People can give their views and Parliament takes the decision."

In reply to a question on Hazare's agitation and Team Anna's attack on the Standing Committee's report on Lokpal Bill, Bansal said, "it amuses and bemuses me that discussions will be held in Jantar Mantar."

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 10 Dec 2011 00:24

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 047016.cms

Team Anna members said the parliamentary committee has not suggested many changes and the draft bill will only increase corruption.

"We urge the people to come to Jantar Mantar on 11th of this month to tell the government that this kind of betrayal will not take place any more," Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said.

"They say NGOs should be in its ambit, companies should be in its ambit, all should be in its ambit, but they have a problem in bringing the prime minister in its ambit... Neither the peon is under its ambit, nor the prime minister is in its ambit..., who is in its ambit?" he said.

Speaking on similar lines, another key member of the team Prashant Bhushan said the Lokpal draft bill had no powers.

"A Lokpal - which does not have any investigative machinery of its own and has to depend on a government controlled investigative machinery; which does not have jurisdiction over lower bureaucracy where most of the corruption takes place, and on top of that does not even have jurisdiction of corruption that is on the prime minister, higher judiciary and MPs when they take bribe for voting in parliament," Bhushan said.

"It does not even provide for a citizen's charter and creates tremendous confusion about who will start investigation against which public servant by dividing the jurisdiction between higher bureaucracy, lower bureaucracy etc... this is likely to only increase corruption than being able to control corruption," he said.

"Therefore, there is no option left for us but to make people aware."

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 10 Dec 2011 02:12

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?279182

Sources say even the Congress isn’t free from dissent on key issues. Some committee members feel the party isn’t serious about the bill. “There’s a sense that not everyone was given adequate time to deliberate on the bill, Singhvi was pushed into taking a decision by his party,” says committee member A. Sampath. His party, the CPI(M), is pressing for the inclusion of the PM and CBI in the bill. “Only the governor and the President enjoy privileges of immunity. Besides, imagine if the PM was in charge of telecommunications?” adds Sampath.

The NCPRI had mooted a separate Grievance Redressal Bill to cover Group C/D government employees. Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh and some NAC members had drawn up the contours of a Shikayat Nivaran Lokpal as a time-bound system to address public grievances—even this is absent from the draft.

Team Anna has called a token one-day protest on December 11; future action will depend on how Parliament moves. Now the law ministry will take note of the standing committee recommendations and introduce the bill in the House, where amendments can be moved. Will all this be done in this winter session? Given the present disruptions in Parliament over FDI in retail, delays look likely. Expect much heat in winter.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 10 Dec 2011 11:01

Mr Nilekani, can you now feel Team Anna’s frustration?

We only wish you would also share some of the frustrations of us common folks who too have been banging our heads against the stone walls of the government and the bureaucracy. I specifically allude to the frustration of Team Anna, which you appeared to belittle in an interview not so long ago.

At the height of Team Anna’s fast in August to get a strong Lokpal institution in place, you went on air and ridiculed Anna’s campaign as “naïve and simplistic”. You argued then that while a Lokpal was necessary, Team Anna had been “drinking the Kool-Aid”. You then hard sold your unique ID project as being a better device to combat corruption at the grassroots level, where the common folks interact with the government.

And although you said you empathised with people’s frustration over corruption, you argued that Team Anna’s protest was not justified. In every other way too, the overarching tenor of your comments suggested that you were batting for the government – and offering politicians an alibi.

Imagine the frustration of Team Anna, which is an outsider to the system, widely reviled by politicians for daring to challenge the corrupt system on which they thrive, and which has no political backing. And yet, when it goes on protest to pressure the government into acting, you called it “naïve and simplistic”.

I trust that after what happened to you, you have a better understanding of the frustrations of Team Anna.

Mr Nilekani, not all is lost. You can still redeem yourself in the eyes of those who yearn for a strong Lokpal Bill. Anna will be on a fast once again on Sunday to protest the continuing efforts to dilute the Lokpal Bill.

Come and join us. Let’s share stories of our frustrations: you can tell us about the obstacles to the unique ID project, and we’ll tell you why we are on the streets once again.

And together we’ll find a way to get the system to listen to all of us.

sanjeevpunj · Post by **sanjeevpunj** » 10 Dec 2011 22:23

Couldnt resist posting this

KLNMurthy · Post by **KLNMurthy** » 10 Dec 2011 22:28

ramana wrote:somaz, AH is taking it beyond Mahatma Gandhiji, of even thinking of sin as being equivalent to sinning.

So all these are maha purush!

Hazare seems too pliable, don't see a strong core of conviction there. He should have defended himself vigorously. What he said was just core vernacular idiom, only DIE will have a problem with it.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 11 Dec 2011 00:27

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 061963.cms

Accusing Team Anna of "practising an extreme form of intolerance", Abhishek Singhvi, senior Congress leader and chairman of the Parliamentary panel on Lokpal, said attacking those who do not agree with their view is a negation of democracy.

"None of this is surprising. As usual and true to form Team Anna is practising an extreme form of intolerance, namely those who do not agree 100 per cent with their view must be condemned with personal attack and vilification," Singvi said.

He said this is a "negation of democracy" itself because Team Anna has decided that "no one in the nation, be it Parliamentary Committee, Parliament or the Cabinet, can ever disagree with them."

On the eve of day-long fast to protest against the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare today said government has "cheated" the entire country and that he will carry on his campaign till next Lok Sabha elections to create awareness against UPA.

The social activist said he suspected that Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was behind Standing Committee rejecting even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's promise to include the Citizen's charter, lower bureaucracy and establishment of Lok Ayuktas in the states.

"They have cheated the whole country. The Prime Minister had given in writing that these three issues would be brought under the Lokpal Bill...The Prime Minister's letter was thrown into the dustbin. Why this volte face? Is Singhvi's post higher than that of the Prime Minister," Hazare told reporters here.

"There is somebody behind... Who is bigger than the Prime Minister?... We suspect Rahul Gandhi could be behind this... Who else can dare to challenge the Prime Minister? That is why there are these problems," Hazare said, alleging that their intentions are "not good".

He was referring to Standing Committee headed by Abhishek Singhvi which has disfavoured inclusion of Group C and D employees and kept out Citizen's charter and Lokayukta.

Hazare, who will hold a day-log fast at jantar mantar tomorrow, said he will resume his anti-corruption agitation from December 27 and then carry on this for next two years till the Lok Sabha elections.

"We will continue to fight for the next two years. We will move around the whole country before the general elections to create public awareness," he said and asked "Why to retain those who have destroyed the country?"

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 11 Dec 2011 00:32

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 056546.cms

Ahead of his day-long fast for a strong Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare on Saturday launched a vitriolic attack on the government, charging that it was "intoxicated" by power and said the "second fight for independence" has started which will go on till corruption is eradicated.

Before leaving for Delhi where he will hold the fast, Hazare said, "So many martyrs lost their lives for our independence but even today we cannot experience independence. Who got independent. What independence. Corruption, loot is still here. Only 'goras' left and 'kalas' came in, that is the only difference."

"So the second fight for independence has started, it is a long fight, till corruption gets eradicated, it will go on. Many people will have to got to jail again, be lathicharged, some will have to sacrifice, that time is here now. Till we sacrifice, we won't get the right independence," Hazare told reporters here.

Hitting out at the government, Hazare said, "This government is intoxicated by power and money. It cannot see anything else. They have forgotten the sacrifices by the likes of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. Like a drunk man becomes unconscious, similarly the government is unconscious.

"It is our job to get them into their senses. This in only a day-long agitation, after December 27, it will be a long agitation. Today that you all are here, I am energised," he said.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 11 Dec 2011 00:41

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?279278

Interview with Arvind Kejriwal... Posting in full.

“We don’t see any substantive change by the standing committee on the government draft. It would be better not to impose a weak Lokpal bill on the states, some of which, Uttarakhand, for instance, have a strong Lokayukta bill.”

What has changed between August, when the Anna Hazare-led movement succeeded in pressurising the government to commit itself to passing the Lokpal bill, to November-end—the point at which the standing committee has finished its deliberations on the draft bill?

Parliament made three commitments in August, conveyed to Annaji by the prime minister in a letter. They were: a citizen’s charter, Lokayukta to be set up in every state and inclusion of the lower bureaucracy within the ambit of the Lokpal bill. However, the reports emerging from the standing committee seem to indicate that some parties on the committee have not followed the resolution in Parliament.

What were your expectations from the standing committee when it began working on the draft bill?

In all, there were 34 points of differences between the government draft and the Jan Lokpal draft. We hoped that these points would make their way into the government draft.

What do you think were the sticky points for the committee? As 11 of its 31 members are from the Congress, did you expect the decisions to be different?

The inclusion of the prime minister, lower bureaucracy, citizen’s charter, judiciary, protection to whistle-blowers, making CBI accountable, transparency and accountability in appointing a Lokpal—the selection process and removal from service—and a whole gamut of issues have been left out.

Have the deliberations by the committee yielded anything concrete? How do you see the consensus on Lokayuktas that has emerged from the deliberations?

We don’t see any substantive improvement suggested by the standing committee over the government draft. If a weak bill is presented to Parliament, it is better not to impose it on the states. We’re hoping the Centre will pass a strong bill, otherwise states like Uttarakhand, which have a strong Lokayukta bill, will have to replace it with a weak Parliament bill.

Did you expect the committee members to do an about-turn on the inclusion of the lower bureaucracy? Not just the Congress but members from other parties too have opposed its inclusion. On the other hand, three Congress members want its inclusion.

The inclusion of Group C & D employees in Lokayuktas is welcome. But the exclusion of the same in the central government is worrying. Besides, putting them under the CVC is not a good idea as the CVC has neither the resources nor the power. The standing committee is also fracturing the mandate of anti-corruption agencies. So far, the CBI too was looking at C & D employees. Now it’s confusing.

The about-turn of the non-Congress members seems to have been done under external pressure. Normally, standing committee members are expected to rise above party lines. But they seem to have followed their party diktat.

If the government fails to introduce the bill on time, will you resume your campaign?

We’re committed to a strong law, protests will continue.

There is criticism that you have appropriated for yourself the role of being the custodians of civil society, despite the differing views on the Lokpal. Have you initiated a dialogue with different sections of society and other civil rights groups, for example the NCPRI? Has any consensus emerged from such a dialogue?

It is wrong to say we have become the custodians of civil society. We are ordinary citizens as agitated about corruption as anyone else. We have a solution in Jan Lokpal—which has found resonance among many; that is democracy. We have had serious discussions with NCPRI and have only one area of difference: including C & D employees under Lokpal.

dnivas · Post by **dnivas** » 11 Dec 2011 18:16

Thanks to Pranay for keeping this important thread alive.

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/tacti ... 53449.html

At Jantar Mantar today, on display was the abject surrender of the opposition to Team Anna. The BJP crawled when it was expected to bend a bit, the CPM and the Janata Dal (U) followed suit. The CPI and the Samajwadi Party summoned some courage to say that not everything was acceptable about the Jan Lokpal Bill. But that was all about it.

Prior to the debate today, there were minor changes in the public mood. The media had turned less hyper this time and taking care to appear more balanced. However, it still has not mustered the courage to ask probing questions to members of Team Anna and its supporters. The other civil society groups, who had virtually been bulldozed into keeping silent, had started raising meek objections to Team Anna’s version of the Lokpal. In general, there were more doubts in the minds of people capable of thinking independently and dispassionately. While the development in the last couple of months were a minor setback for Team Anna, it has recovered well after today’s event. The Congress continues to slip in public estimation.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 11 Dec 2011 22:19

dnivas - The pleasure is all mine

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 069640.cms

The Party positions on the Jan Lokpal Bill... A sad and telling omission in the political representation at Jantar Mantar yesterday was the absence of any representative of the Congress Party. Seems like they have initiated a self destruct spiral from which they cannot escape.

The government may be in for another round of confrontation with the opposition on the provisions of the Lokpal Bill, going by the speeches of opposition leaders who addressed the gathering at Anna Hazare's fast.

Opening the debate on Lokpal Bill at Jantar Mantar, BJP leader Arun Jaitley criticised the government for coming out with a weak Lokpal draft.

He said the BJP was in favour of including the Prime Minister under the Lokpal.

CPI leader AB Bardhan also spoke in favour of including both the PM and the lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal. He criticised the govt for scuttling the move for a strong Lokpal.

He also spoke on the need for a strong Judicial Accountability Bill

However, Bardhan had a note of caution for Team Anna as well. He said, Team Anna should be ready to accommodate all shades of opinion and not insist on just their own viewpoints in the Lokpal bill.

CPM leader Brinda Karat also spoke in favour of including the lower bureaucracy under Lokpal. She also spoke strongly about ensuring the independence of CBI. She said the Left rejects the weak draft prepared by the government.

JDU leader Sharad Yadav said his party will ensure that the sense of House is completely honoured by the government. He said the Parliament was supreme and everyone should respect the House.

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said that the present Lokpal draft prepared by the government was not acceptable to his party. He said that the standing committee report was prepared under pressure.

TDP leader Yerran Naidu, targeted Congress and questioned why Rahul and Sonia Gandhi were not talking about corruption. He said the TDP was in favour of strong Lokpal Bill. The TDP leader said the government was filing cases against all those who have raised voice against corruption. He questioned why the Congress was afraid of CBI being brought under the ambit of Lokpal. He said the govt should either extend the winter session of Parliament or call a special session to discuss the Lokpal bill.

BJD leader Pinaki Mishra, who is also a member of the standing committee that deliberated on the Lokpal, has flayed the government draft. He said the BJD, under Naveen Patnaik, was committed to a strong Lokpal Bill and had presented a very strong dissent note in the committee. He said the Prime Minister must come under the Lokpal. The BJD leader said the next movement should be against disruptions in Parliament by political leaders.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 11 Dec 2011 22:48

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 069690.cms

As Anna Hazare stepped up his campaign for the Janlokpal Bill, Congress on Sunday accused the activist of insulting Parliament and indulging in politics by attacking Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

"It is the Constitutional right of Annaji to sit on protest, but the manner in which he is trying to target Rahulji and Soniaji makes it clear that he only wants to indulge in politics," Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi told reporters.

"Laws cannot be made at Jantar Mantar. I have no hesitation in saying that Annaji is insulting Parliament," Alvi said, adding that the activist has had his say and should now allow Parliament to carry out its mandate.

"Parliament will debate and decide on the Lokpal Bill. Nobody is bigger than Parliament or Constitution. The country runs as per the Constitution and not by raising slogans," he said.

Alvi said the Congress will continue to fight corruption at all levels.

"Corruption cannot be fought by laws alone, there has to be a change in the social mindset and we all have to do it together," he said.

Earlier, Congress had accused Team Anna of mounting "unnecessary pressure" on Parliament.

"This type of attempt is to bring unnecessary pressure on Parliament and democracy," Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi had said yesterday.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 12 Dec 2011 02:08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15VRxo4k ... r_embedded

Mumbai Rally in support of Anna Hazare.

sanjeevpunj · Post by **sanjeevpunj** » 12 Dec 2011 16:59

Congress launches attack on Anna, defends Rahul Gandhi
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 81262.aspx

Hazare has made it clear to the Congresi Netas that they will have to take orders from Rahul, when he pointed out

"The PM gave us in writing that he supported our demand for inclusion of lower bureaucracy and Lokayukta in all states in August and Parliament backed it though a 'sense of the House'. Then who can overrule his decision? It is Rahul Gandhi,"

The thick-skinned netas are still trying to treat Anna as malady, whereas Anna is speaking the same language that the PM speaks - "fight,oppose and eliminate corruption", difference is that Anna is more vocal, while the PM is sort of silently hoping he will be heard. Surprising no one else in the Congress speaks this language!They are all ganging up against Anna because he is tickling them with feathers before he actually gets into his act.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 13 Dec 2011 20:36

Couple of important bills have been cleared (details awaited)

1) Judicial accountability bill
2) Citizen's Charter bill

Ahead of team anna's next move. Govt got its chaddi twisted by people. Let us wait for the detail. Hope the bills are not toothless like the recent Lokpal bill.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 02:45

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 098876.cms

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday wrote to the government, expressing its unhappiness over various issues related to Lokpal bill, saying many of the clauses would severely impair the functioning of the agency.

In its letter to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the CBI said the proposed move to make preliminary enquiry (PE) by Lokpal mandatory before cases come to it will "severely impair" effectiveness of the agency in anti-corruption cases since it would lose the "surprise element" to carry out search operations.

The CBI has opposed the recommendation of multiple supervisions by various departments and ministries, including DoPT, law ministry and Lokpal, arguing that it would cramp its functioning.

The agency opposed the proposal to create an independent prosecution wing under the supervision of Lokpal as recommended by the parliamentary panel. Sources said, "Separation of prosecution from investigation agency may result in sharp decline in conviction rate as has happened in various states."

The CBI objected to certain other provisions recommended by the committee which says that CBI charge sheet or closure report under sections 173 of CrPC must be filed after taking approval of Lokpal, arguing this goes against the objectives of the keeping the agency autonomous, not answerable or liable to be monitored by either the administrative ministry or Lokpal and protect the integrity of investigation.

It is also cut up over the non-inclusion of the proposal of constituting a panel - comprising the PM, the Leader of Opposition and any other constitutional authority - for the selection of the agency's director.

member_21074 · Post by **member_21074** » 14 Dec 2011 15:52

Yes, the RSS has put it on record that they support and mobilise for Anna. But, what has that to go with the Lokpal bill

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 14 Dec 2011 16:48

@Swamy39 Subramanian Swamy

EVM: ECI arguments smashed. Final hearing on 10/1 whether ballot paper or EVM with voter slip.

http://twitter.com/#!/Swamy39/status/146896902313611264

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 18:06

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=744328

Anna Hazare today found fault with the government for bringing a separate Citizens' Charter bill saying it was against the assurance given by Parliament to him and urged Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to pressurise UPA on the Lokpal issue as she did on FDI in retail.

"Citizens' Charter should not be brought as a separate law. Now that Parliament has made its decision why should a second thought be given. This is not right," he told reporters.

His comments came as Team Anna's Core Committee met here to chalk out its future plans, including the proposed Ramlila Maidan agitation, if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

Hazare chaired the meeting which is expected to take a final call on his decision to go on an indefinite fast from December 27.

"Yesterday there was a Cabinet meeting to discuss Lokpal. During the meeting the Cabinet discussed making Citizens' Charter a separate law which I think is completely wrong," he said ahead of the meeting.

"It is wrong because when I was fasting at Ramlila Ground, the Prime Minister had written a letter asking me to end the fast assuring that the three crucial points -- inclusion of Citizens' Charter, lower bureaucracy and state Lokayuktas -- will be part of the Bill and Parliament agreed to it," he said.

Hazare said the decision to make a separate law was not right after Parliament taking a decision on the issue. "This means Parliament was not trusted. It was Parliament that voted for the resolution and then they say Anna has no trust in Parliament. It is they who do not trust Parliament."

Hazare requested "behen" (sister) Mamata Banerjee to "put a good word forward" for Lokpal so that corruption is eradicated to some extent as her decision on FDI protected many small traders.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 18:11

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 104806.cms

CBI, which has expressed unhappiness over various issues related to Lokpal, today got support from Team Anna which said the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee were dangerous and should be rejected.

"We support CBI's protest and believe that the Standing Committee's report is dangerous and should be rejected," Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal told reporters here.

He said the recommendations, if implemented, will cripple the functioning of CBI.

"Preliminary enquiry is being made compulsory in all cases which may warn the corrupt that he is under CBI radar and allow him to protect himself before a raid takes place. We support CBI's argument and they are rightly protesting the recommendations," Kejriwal said.

He accused the government of using Hazare's campaign to dilute the role of CBI.

His comments came as CBI wrote a letter to Department of Personnel and Training, saying the proposed move to make preliminary enquiry by Lokpal mandatory before giving cases to CBI will "severely impair" effectiveness of the agency in anti-corruption cases as it would lose the "surprise element" to carry out search operations, sources in the agency said.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 14 Dec 2011 18:12

I love this guy. He is so small and powerless, none can harm him

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 18:21

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16172942

India's government is due to hold a key all-party meeting to build consensus on a new anti-corruption bill.

The Lokpal bill envisages setting up an independent ombudsman, who would have the power to investigate and prosecute politicians and civil servants.

Activists and opposition parties say the bill should include the prime minister and lower-level bureaucracy.

Activist Anna Hazare has threatened to go on hunger strike if the bill is not passed during this parliament session.

On Tuesday, the ruling Congress-led coalition held a meeting and arrived at a "broad consensus" over the new bill, Home Minister P Chidambaram said.

He said he hoped that Wednesday's all-party meeting would be "productive and we can reach conclusions to the amendments to the draft bill and bring it before parliament".

Also, the reports say, it is likely to agree to demands to bring junior bureaucrats under the ombudsman.

Hari Seldon · Post by **Hari Seldon** » 14 Dec 2011 19:01

Pranav wrote:@Swamy39 Subramanian Swamy

EVM: ECI arguments smashed. Final hearing on 10/1 whether ballot paper or EVM with voter slip.

http://twitter.com/#!/Swamy39/status/146896902313611264

Here's more:

@Swamy39 Subramanian Swamy
>> Now EC reduced to saying that it will be very expensive to have paper receipt !

johneeG · Post by **johneeG** » 14 Dec 2011 19:05

Hari Seldon wrote: Here's more:

@Swamy39 Subramanian Swamy
>> Now EC reduced to saying that it will be very expensive to have paper receipt !

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 19:28

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 108644.cms

Anna Hazare may shift his proposed fast later this month on Lokpal Bill from Delhi to Mumbai to avoid harsh winter conditions that could prevail in the capital.

This was decided by Team Anna's core committee which met here on Wednesday to to chalk out its future plans, including the proposed December 27 agitation, if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

"Depending on what kind of Lokpal law is made in Parliament, Anna will fast on December 27. Whatever it is, there will be a people's congregation on that day. It will be a fast or celebration depending on the outcome of Parliament.

"Keeping in mind the weather conditions in Delhi during that time, we have also applied for Mumbai's Azad Maidan. If weather would be fine in Delhi on that day, then the protest or celebrations will happen in Delhi," Kejriwal said.

The core committee also decided that its members will be in Parliament's Visitors' Gallery on the day when Lokpal bill will be introduced in the House, he told reporters.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 14 Dec 2011 19:40

Yes. Elections are also quite costly. Why to have them. Amul Baba is waiting to save all of us from evil communal forces and give food to every one and 100 days work for every year. So ban elections also along with facebook, google etc. In case of of any further problem we can always depend of unclekhan.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 19:46

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391170.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391171.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391172.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391173.cms

Anna - Govt. Standoff? TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami debates the issue with D. Purandeshwari, MoS, HRD; Vinod Sharma, senior journalist; Vinod Mehta, Editor-in-Chief, Outlook; Pinaki Mishra, BJD leader & Senior lawyer; Mahesh Jethmalani, Senior lawyer and leader, BJP and Prashant Bhushan, Team Anna.

Very telling throughout the debate is - D. Purandeshwari, MoS, HRD - for her sheer lack of understanding of what constitutes a Democracy, what is good governance, the rights of citizens in a democracy, the facts of the matter being debated...

Her sheer lack of intellectual depth and a heckler's approach through the whole debate displays an attitude at the very core of the failure of this Government and the Congress party to connect with the people of India.

When political hacks rule the roost, rather then individuals of merit...

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 14 Dec 2011 21:18

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/c ... eet/218462

BJP's Arun Jaitley elaborates on the Jan Lokpal Bill and the many parameters around it...

nramprabhu · Post by **nramprabhu** » 14 Dec 2011 22:07

Pranay wrote:http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391170.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391171.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391172.cms

http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Anna-Govt ... 391173.cms

Anna - Govt. Standoff? TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami debates the issue with D. Purandeshwari, MoS, HRD; Vinod Sharma, senior journalist; Vinod Mehta, Editor-in-Chief, Outlook; Pinaki Mishra, BJD leader & Senior lawyer; Mahesh Jethmalani, Senior lawyer and leader, BJP and Prashant Bhushan, Team Anna.
Very telling throughout the debate is - D. Purandeshwari, MoS, HRD - for her sheer lack of understanding of what constitutes a Democracy, what is good governance, the rights of citizens in a democracy, the facts of the matter being debated...

Her sheer lack of intellectual depth and a heckler's approach through the whole debate displays an attitude at the very core of the failure of this Government and the Congress party to connect with the people of India.

When political hacks rule the roost, rather then individuals of merit...

During the debate only Vinod Sharma Blasted the minsiter saying that She should do proper homework before coming to such debates ...