LS to consider Lok Pal, Hazare to fast tomorrow

Lok Sabha is all set to consider passage of Lok Pal Bill tomorrow as Anna Hazare mounts a fresh campaign for a "strong and effective" law with a three-day fast in Mumbai, amid signs that the civil society will escalate its protest in the days to come.

However, government remained unfazed saying Hazare's fast at a time when Parliament takes up the Bill will be construed as an "obstructionist" tactics. Congress has issued a three- line whip to its members to be present in the House tomorrow.

The Lok Pal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011, which also seeks to establish ombudsmen in the states besides the Centre, is listed for discussion for eight hours along with the Constitutional Amendment Bill for giving Constitutional status to Lok Pal and Lokayuktas. The Whistleblowers Bill will also be taken up.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister PK Bansal asserted that the Lok Pal Bill that had been introduced is a product of wide-ranging consultations with civil society and political parties and called it a "fine piece of legislation" to provide for a strong Lok Pal.

He also said that the Constitutional Bill, which requires a special majority for passage, would be put to voting only if it has required support.

Seventy-four-year-old Hazare, who is suffering from viral infection, left Ralegan Siddhi for Mumbai where he will lead a three-day fast which will be joined by supporters across the country, including in the national capital.

He said the repeated volte-face by the government over the Lok Pal Bill had forced him to fast again.

"They formed a joint committee and then in the joint committee they did a U-turn. They formed a standing committee but the result was again a U-turn," he said in Ralegan Siddhi.