We are not opposed to Lokpal Bill: Kapil Sibal

While social activist Anna Hazare vowed to continue his hungerstrike in demand of an anti-corruption bill, the government said it was not opposed to the same, but an extreme position taken by the activists is regrettable.

Human Resource Development (HRD) Kapil Sibal , who is part of a subgroup on corruption and had met the activists led by Hazare, said the government is open to all possible suggestions from the social activists in drafting the Jan Lokpal Bill.

?We are not opposed to any suggestion made,? he said, adding that the subgroup, which is part of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to tackle corruption, was asked to commit in principle to a joint committee on the bill before April 5.

?We said we are not empowered to commit and we need time,? he said.

Anna Hazare earlier said he was heart-broken by the rejection of the Prime Minister to include the civil society activists in the joint committee to draft the bill.

A Lokpal means an ombudsman to root out corruption at high places in the Indian polity.

The Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill), 2010 is now awaiting a select parliamentary committee’s ascent.

Sibal said the civil society should have confidence in the government in moving forward since it was taking into consideration their concerns.

Sibal said the government is committed to set up institutions to deal with corruption.

?The Prime Minister is committed, Sonia Gandhi is committed, the party is committed,? he said.

?Many in the group [the social activists under India Against Corruption or IAC] appreciated the government point of view,? he claimed, referring to the subgroup?s meeting with the activists.

?They told us that you take a decision here and now and before April 5,” he said, adding that he promised them to place their demand before the GoM since they “are not authorised to take a decision.”

Defence Minister A K Antony is heading the subgroup which also includes Law Minister M Veerappa Moily, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy.

?I am surprised that an extreme position has been taken and I appeal to their good sense not to stall the dialogue,? Sibal said.

Anna Hazare’s fast-unto-death agitation in the national capital demanding implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill with people’s participation in its making to fight corruption entered its second day on Wednesday.

“I will continue to fight till there is life in me. It is high time that we launch a crusade against corruption,” he said from his fasting platform as there is a swelling number of people across India joining the anti-corruption movement.

There is also a huge online campaign against corruption and in favour of Hazare’s demand.

He said he would continue to fast till the government agreed to the implementation of the Bill that is pending since the past 42 years.