PM appeals to Ramdev to cancel strike plans

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday appealed to yoga guru Baba Ramdev to call off his planned hunger strike demanding that the government took strong action on recovering Indian illicit funds stashed away in offshore accounts

?Corruption is a big problem and we are making serious efforts to tackle it. It’s not a divisive issue. We have to work with Baba Ramdev and look for solutions. I have already asked him not to take recourse to an agitation,? he said.

Clearly not to keen at having another mass protest wind public opinion against his government, already weakened by several corruption scandal allegations, he said that there was still time to tackle the issue and sought cooperation from ?all concerned?.

Earlier in the day, the yoga guru-turned-social activist seemed firm on his plans of going on a hunger strike as he said, ?There is no question of calling of the protest unless government takes quantifiable steps on black money.?

On Saturday, his announcement that he will fast-unto-death as part of a ?satyagraha? against black money and corruption aiding tax evasion from June 4, had garnered support from over 32 lakh people online.

The threat which comes within a month of a similar campaign by Gandhian social activist Anna Hazare?s that forced the government to form a joint panel of ministers and activists to draft a tough ombudsman bill – the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Sources said the government, weary of another tussle with activists to which it could once again have to lose face, was keen on doing all it can to convince the yoga guru to withdraw his plans of hunger strike.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) met in New Delhi on Monday, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to deliberate ways they could avoid a standoff and reportedly decided on setting up a panel to draw an estimate of funds illegally stashes in foreign banks.

Announcing his plans, Ramdev had said, ?I will start my ‘Satyagraha against Corruption’ movement on June 4 at Ramlila Maidan here to force the government act on corruption-related issues, especially that related to black money. My supporters across the world will also fast with me.?

“The Centre has not taken any concrete decision on the issue of black money. The fight against corruption will continue till it is not rooted out. We must have a strong Jan Lokpal by August,” he said.

“I just want to say that whatever they have consented to on certain issues, the fact is it’s stuck within time and system. How will this black money come back?” Ramdev said.

“We are waiting for the ratification of the UN convention in which there are 71 articles and according to that all the rules and regulations will be made. What I have spoken to government is all about black money and how this black money can be brought back,” he said.

Ramdev said he has invited Hazare to join his movement. “Annaji’s agitation was on the single issue of Lokpal Bill. We have to take the agitation to the next level,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hazare extended his full support to Ramdev. “We are supporting Ramdev Baba, whoever stands to fight corruption it is important to support them… we have to remove corruption,” Hazare said.

The Central government had on Jan 18 submitted to the Supreme Court the list of Indians who have accounts in Liechtensteins LGT Bank in a sealed cover.

Media reports said that at least 26 names have been included in the list submitted before the apex court by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

The government, however, refused to share the information in public domain, stating that it would violate a sovereign agreement between India and Germany.

The government has maintained that making the names public would violate Clause 26 of the DTAA and also hamper negotiations with Switzerland and a dozen other countries on amending the existing DTAAs to provide for exchange of information related to bank accounts.

Under the clause, the information submitted is privileged and details of the informant, its recipient and that of account holders cannot be revealed to any third person except share it with the court or investigating agencies.Under the clause, the information submitted is privileged and details of the informant, its recipient and that of account holders cannot be revealed to any third person except share it with the court or investigating agencies.