Hazare ends fast, says fight has begun
Sandeep Joshi | The Hindu | Sat Apr 09 2011
Gazette notification issued on constitution of joint committee to prepare draft Lokpal Bill
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare called off his five-day-old hunger strike on Saturday morning after receiving a gazette notificationfrom the Centre regarding constitution of a joint committee, comprising members from the government and civil society, for preparation of the draft Lokpal Bill.Celebrations broke out at Jantar Mantar, the site of Mr. Hazare's fast, and also across the country with Mr. Hazare's supporters rejoicing the social activist's “victory” for a stronger anti-corruption law. On the other hand, the government heaved a sigh of relief as the protest was spreading fast as more and more citizens and celebrities were joining Mr. Hazare's movement.After ending his fast-unto-death, Mr. Hazare addressed a huge gathering of his supporters and pointed out that this was just the beginning of the fight against corruption. “Our responsibility has now increased… we will ensure that the Lokpal Bill is passed before August 15 [2011],” the social activist said, and urged the people to take up other crucial issues such as decentralisation of power and electoral reforms.Though the agreement between Mr. Hazare's emissaries and the government was reached on Friday night, with the latter conceding the social activist's demands, he refused to break his indefinite fast till the Centre issued a government order.However, the government went a step ahead and issued a gazette notification early in the morning. But it was not an easy task for the government as officials of the Ministry of Law and Justice had to burn midnight oil to prepare the draft and get it notified.The notification said the Joint Drafting Committee would “commence its work forthwith and evolve its own procedure to prepare the proposed legislation.” It is supposed to complete its work latest by June 30, 2011. Meanwhile, government sources said the committee was likely to hold its first meeting next week.
The 10-member Joint Drafting Committee will have five Cabinet members — Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee (chairman), Home Minister P. Chidamabaram, Law Minister Veerappa Moily (convenor), Telecom and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Water Resources Minister Salman Khurshid. Apart from Mr. Hazare, civil society will be represented by the former Law Minister, Shanti Bhushan (co-chairperson), the former Supreme Court Judge, Justice N. Santosh Hegde, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal.
Gazette notification issued on constitution of joint committee to prepare draft Lokpal Bill
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare called off his five-day-old hunger strike on Saturday morning after receiving a gazette notificationfrom the Centre regarding constitution of a joint committee, comprising members from the government and civil society, for preparation of the draft Lokpal Bill.
Celebrations broke out at Jantar Mantar, the site of Mr. Hazare's fast, and also across the country with Mr. Hazare's supporters rejoicing the social activist's “victory” for a stronger anti-corruption law. On the other hand, the government heaved a sigh of relief as the protest was spreading fast as more and more citizens and celebrities were joining Mr. Hazare's movement.
After ending his fast-unto-death, Mr. Hazare addressed a huge gathering of his supporters and pointed out that this was just the beginning of the fight against corruption. “Our responsibility has now increased… we will ensure that the Lokpal Bill is passed before August 15 [2011],” the social activist said, and urged the people to take up other crucial issues such as decentralisation of power and electoral reforms.
Though the agreement between Mr. Hazare's emissaries and the government was reached on Friday night, with the latter conceding the social activist's demands, he refused to break his indefinite fast till the Centre issued a government order.
However, the government went a step ahead and issued a gazette notification early in the morning. But it was not an easy task for the government as officials of the Ministry of Law and Justice had to burn midnight oil to prepare the draft and get it notified.
The notification said the Joint Drafting Committee would “commence its work forthwith and evolve its own procedure to prepare the proposed legislation.” It is supposed to complete its work latest by June 30, 2011. Meanwhile, government sources said the committee was likely to hold its first meeting next week.
The 10-member Joint Drafting Committee will have five Cabinet members — Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee (chairman), Home Minister P. Chidamabaram, Law Minister Veerappa Moily (convenor), Telecom and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Water Resources Minister Salman Khurshid. Apart from Mr. Hazare, civil society will be represented by the former Law Minister, Shanti Bhushan (co-chairperson), the former Supreme Court Judge, Justice N. Santosh Hegde, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal.
Power hungry politicians won't accept 'tough' bill on corruption: Hazare
New Delhi | Sat Apr 09 2011| Indian Express
 |
| Anna broke the fast. People in Ralegan Siddhi celebrate as India celebrates throughout the country to love more Anna Hazare |
Gandhian Anna Hazare ended his 98-hour hunger strike after government issued a gazette notification constituting a 10-member Joint Committee to draft an effective Lok Pal Bill, but he pledged a long struggle against corruption and for reform of the electoral system.
The 73-year-old anti-corruption campaigner called off his fast-unto-death campaign on the fifth day with a little girl giving him a glass of lime juice at 10.45 am at Jantar Mantar, the nerve-centre of the campaign for a strong law to combat political and administrative graft.
Earlier, Hazare offered water to some women, among the over 300 activists who had joined the fast saying it was a victory of people's power. Celebrations broke out instantaneously in the capital and cities across the country.
"This just the beginning of the fight against corruption. Our responsibility has now increased," he said, setting August 15 as the deadline for the passage of the Lok Pal Bill. Read details here.......
Read and see these Unique moments.....
- Crowds cheer as Anna breaks fast
- Anna wants law by Aug 15
- India celebrates people's victory
- After Anna breaks fast, celebration at Jantar Mantar
- 'Anna's victory made us happier than WC win'
Hazare’s success worries Congress
Jittery Cong calls Anna Hazare an RSS agent
- Nepotism cry in Anna camp
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