Govt serious on issue raised by Anna Hazare: Sharma

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said the corruption issue raised by social activist Anna Hazare is receiving "serious attention of the government".

"It is engaging serious attention of the government. Prime Minister himself has appealed (to Hazare)," he said in his interaction with members of the Indian Women's Press Corps here.

The 72-year-old social activist has gone on fast-unto-death demanding that the drafting committee for the Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption should include members of the civil society.

Sharma said, the government was committed to ensure transparency in public life and functioning of the institutions.

"We hope the steps put in place for firm and prompt action against corruption would eventually satisfy Anna Hazare," he said.

Sharma said, in a democracy people speak but this right comes with a sense of responsibility.

He said that while recent scams and corruption charges were a matter of concern for the government, the Central Bureau of Investigation probing the 2G scandal has been given a free hand even before the Supreme Court came into the picture.