New Delhi, June 22: New Delhi Team Anna and government representatives parted ways today with their separate versions of the draft Lokpal Bill after they failed to resolve — in nine meetings since April 8 — critical issues that included its basic structure and the inclusion of the Prime Minister and the higher judiciary within the ambit of Lokpal.
While Hazare announced his decision to go ahead with his fast on August 16 “to teach the government a lesson”, government representatives said both versions of the draft would go to an all-party meeting on July 3 after which it would attempt sending a single draft to the Cabinet en route to Parliament.
Both sides disagreed on a range of issues including Team Anna’s demand of videotaping the committee proceedings. Yet, the government maintained it had, in the process, succeeded in writing a “stronger and better” version of the Bill.
“We agreed on about 34 of the 40 basic principles set out. Sanctions have now been done away with. Investigation and prosecution machinery will be independent under Lokpal,” said Law Minister Veerappa Moily.
This didn’t impress Hazare who said the government had misled the people. “The government has no intention to bring a strong Lokpal Bill. It is misleading the people. Now there is no option but to go on fast from August 16 as announced earlier,” he said.
–Agencies–