Just days before Team Anna is to launch an indefinite protest demanding early implementation of an effective Lokpal, the government has once again reached out to Anna Hazare spelling out the government’s commitment and resolve in dealing with corruption and bringing in greater transparency and accountability in public life.
In his letter to the Gandhian, minister of state in the PMO N. Narayansamy has spelt out various initiatives taken by the UPA government in the last few months to deal with the menace of corruption. Importantly, the letter states, “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expects that you (Anna Hazare) will provide support and constructive cooperation in resolving such issues of national importance.’’
Ahead of the crucial Monsoon Session of Parliament, the government in fact has sought support from Anna Hazare in building consensus on the Lokpal Bill. Team Anna is set to launch a fresh agitation on the contentious issue from July 25 from Jantar Mantar.
In the letter, a copy of which is available with this newspaper, Mr Narayansamy has clarified to Anna Hazare that the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha was already examining the key issues raised by Team Anna like including lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal and greater autonomy to CBI.
In an important move, the letter also clarifies that the provisions of Lokayukta in the states have been delinked from the Lokpal Bill. At the most, the Lokpal Bill will serve as a model Bill or law to help States draft the Lokayukta Bill. This has been a longstanding demand of many political parties, including those within the UPA.
It is still not clear though whether this crucial provision has been suggested as an amendment to the Lokpal Bill before the Select Committee or it will come up for discussion during the coming Parliament session.
Once again, reiterating the Government’s commitment in passing the Lokpal Bill according to the wishes of Parliament, Mr Narayansamy stated, “the bill is now with the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha. The government wishes to incorporate three key demands raised by you and which is found in the Sense of the House resolution in the bill. We have also proposed a strong Lokpal Bill and a model law for states for Lokayuktas which will address the concerns raised by parties with respect to encroachment on federal structure of the Constitution,” the minister added.