Hazare lashes out at govt on Lok Pal

Ratcheting up pressure on government on Lok Pal issue, Anna Hazare today questioned the Standing Committee's proposal to bring lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokayuktas, saying it was against the resolution passed by the Parliament.

Hazare said he will campaign in five poll-bound states telling people that the UPA government has neither intention nor honesty in tackling corruption and so don't vote for them.

Demanding the passage of a strong Lok Pal Bill in the ongoing session, he said the session should be extended if "there is no time" for bringing the law. "If there is less time, then extend the session.

"Constitution allows you to extend the session. If you have the will, you can do anything and you can pass it now. If you have the will, then what is the problem," he said.

He said, "they were telling us to honour Parliament. The same Parliament has passed a resolution. Why are you not honouring it? Why do you want it [lower bureaucracy] to leave it to states?"

Terming it as a "wrong" proposal, Hazare said lower bureaucracy should be brought under Lok Pal and not under Lokayukta.

He said Parliament has given an assurance that Group C and D employees will be brought under Lok Pal besides providing for Lokayuktas in states and Citizen's Charter.

Hazare noted that three Congress MPs have given dissent notes demanding inclusion of Group C employees under Lok Pal and making CVC accountable to the ombudsman, key demands of Team Anna and wondered what was stopping the government providing for it as their own people were demanding it.

"If they are going to ignore our demands, then I will sit on a fast in Jantar Mantar on December 11 and then from December 27 in Ramlila Ground. I will tell people in five poll-bound states that the government has no intention of bringing this bill and ask them not to vote for them," he said.