Lok Pal Bill: Dharna by Anna if panel proposals unacceptable

Stepping up pressure on Lokpal issue, Anna Hazare has decided to hold a dharna here on December 11 if the Parliamentary Standing Committee's proposals on the bill were not to his satisfaction.

Team Anna said the 74-year-old activist will lead a day-long protest at Jantar Mantar if the Standing Committee does not come up with strong provisions in the bill.

"It all depends on the Standing Committee's proposals. Anna is planning to sit on a protest in Jantar Mantar on December 11 depending on the Standing Committee's recommendations," a senior Team Anna member said.

"Please join the dharna at Jantar Mantar on December 11 for a strong Janlokpal," Hazare was quoted as saying by his close aide Suresh Pathare.

The Parliamentary panel on Lokpal Bill is likely to submit its report before December seven. Team Anna has been insisting that the lower bureaucracy, higher judiciary, provisions for Citizen's Charter and setting up of Lokayuktas at the state level be brought under the ambit of the Bill.

Meanwhile, confusion prevailed over Hazare's protest plans at Ramlila Maidan from December 27 with MCD Standing Committee Chairman Yogender Chandolia saying that the civic body has not given permission for the agitation there even as Team Anna insisted that it has got the nod.

"No permission has been given yet," Chandolia, a senior local BJP leader, said when asked about claims by Team Anna that it has been given the nod to use the Maidan from December 27 to January five for a protest in case the bill is not passed during Parliament's Winter Session.

However, a senior MCD official said permission has not been denied. "But permission has also not been given. We have received an application from Team Anna saying that it wants to book the Maidan," he said.