New Lok Pal Bill anti-people, withdraw it: Team Anna

Team Anna today rejected the Lok Pal Bill describing it as "anti-people and dangerous" and demanded that a new Bill be brought in Parliament that will make CBI independent and decentralise the proposed anti-corruption body.

Addressing a press conference, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said the new Bill was "worse" than the legislation introduced in August in Lok Sabha alleging that the government does not want a comprehensive anti-graft ombudsman.

"Under the present Bill, government will have all the control over Lok Pal as it will have powers to appoint and remove members at its will.

"It is worse than the Lok Pal Bill introduced in August. We reject the (new) Bill, withdraw it and introduce it after redrafting it," Kejriwal said.

Describing the new Bill as "anti-people and dangerous", he said the proposed legislation is meant to crush the rights enjoyed by people.

"Only 10% of the political leaders are in the Bill. Only 5% of employees are in its ambit. Big companies are out of it.

"Who all are in? Temples, mosques, schools, colleges, hospitals, dispensaries, cricket clubs, gurudwaras, self help groups are under it. Even doctors, pujaris, priests, maulanas, all will be deemed to public servants. The government thinks that all the citizens are corrupt but the leaders and employees are clean," he said.

Kejriwal said the government will have full control over the proposed body as it will be selected by a panel dominated by political leaders.

He alleged this Bill would make CBI "completely ineffective".