By IANS,
New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare, who has been campaigning for a strong Lokpal bill to fight corruption, Wednesday said the bill which is likely to be discussed by the cabinet Thursday is the “weak” and “ineffective” form.
“The union cabinet is most likely to discuss the contents of Lokpal bill tomorrow (Thursday), which should be presented in the forthcoming session of parliament. In its present form, the government’s version of the Lokpal bill is too weak and ineffective,” Hazare said in a statement here.
“It has a very narrow jurisdiction,” he added.
“It is a rare opportunity for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to change the history of India. If they present a strong Lokpal bill, the whole country will be indebted to them. We sincerely appeal to the cabinet to present a strong Lokpal bill in parliament,” Hazare said.
A 10-member Lokpal bill joint drafting committee, constituting members of the civil society and the government, was formed in April after a fast by Hazare to demand a stringent anti-corruption law.
The civil society members want the Lokpal bill to be passed by parliament by Aug 15 and have threatened another fast if this does not happen.
“If the government presents a law whose basic structure is bad, we will be left with no option but to sit on an indefinite fast to demand that the government should withdraw this law and present a better law in parliament,” the statement said.