Present a strong Lokpal Bill : Team Anna Hazare

As the Government is waiting to enact the Lokpal Bill in the Cabinet. Anna Hazare on Wednesday urged a demand for a strong Lokpal Bill to be presented for consideration of the Parliament, contending that the official version falls 'far short' of people's expectations. Mr. Hazare said, Congress hands is with the common man. And they are hoping that the common man's corruption will also be addressed through Lokpal Bill. He said it was a rare opportunity for the UPA government to change the history of India and if they present a strong Lokpal Bill, the whole country would be indebted to them. He also said in a statement that they sincerely appeal to the Union Cabinet to present a strong Lokpal Bill in Parliament. Contending that government's version of Lokpal Bill 'falls for short' of people's expectations. He said it was too weak and ineffective. It has a very 'narrow jurisdiction'. Activist Arvind Kejriwal said there was nothing for a common man in the present version of Lokpal Bill common man's corruption has been completely left out of "Lokpal Bill". Lawyer Prashant Bhushan said "The government claims that first it wants to tackle high-level corruption". The Lokpal Bill will be brought to the Cabinet in its next session. Mr. Kejriwal argued if the government presents a Bill with faulty structures, then even the standing committee will not be able to do much. He added that both the Standing Committee and the Parliament have their own limitations. The Standing Committee may negate a law or it may suggest some amendments, but the Standing Committee does not have the jurisdiction to rewrite a law. It cannot change the basic structure of the law. Reported by       AR