Anna's address in virtual world

Anna Hazare had launched his blog— http://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/—on Thursday.His Facebook address is  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002962161677 and that of twitter is  http://twitter.com/#!/annahazaresays He will join the bracket of star bloggers such as Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. On the portal, Anna stated that people from all over the world were eager to know his thoughts on many issues.


The Marathi,Hindi  and English versions of the blog will be soon available and will be followed later by other Indian languages. Noted commentators Vijay Kuvalekar and Raju Parulekar will help Hazare expressing his thoughts on the blog. 


Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/mumbai/30217576_1_anna-hazare-anti-corruption-fight-corruption
https://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/join-me-now-on-google-twitter-and-facebook-2/

Some points need to be modified about lokpal

• Section 23(1) proposes a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for corrupt public servants, while according to Chapter VI titled “Accountability of Officers of Lokpal” the punishment for a Lokpal member found guilty of corruption is just “dismissal, removal or reduction in rank.”

• This Bill also contains some provisions that could make the Lokpal a heavy-handed parallel oligarchy. For instance, Sec 7 grants to “investigating officers” and members of Lokpal the combined powers of a police officer, director of enforcement and a civil court.
• Sec 4(4), which lists out persons not eligible to become chairperson or member of the Lokpal, needs to be modified to exclude any person who is, or has been, a member, sympathiser, associate or supporter of any communal organisation or person. 

• The total estimated revenue of India for 2011-12 as projected in the last budget is Rs7,89,892 crore and 0.25 % of this is nearly 2000 crores, which the Lokpal will have access to without “any administrative or financial sanction from any government agency.” The drafters have to explain why such a huge amount of money is required for an institution, which according to Team Anna is not going to be flooded with thousands of complaints.

Team Anna 'referendum' on Jan Lokpal in Sonia's constituency

 Stepping up pressure on lawmakers, Team Anna would conduct surveys to assess public perception on Jan Lokpal Bill in Amethi and Rae Bareli, pocketborough of Nehru-Gandhi family, and other prominent parliamentary constituencies of UP and Uttarakhand ahead of winter session of Parliament.

"The time till Parliament's winter session (November) is important as the Standing Committee considering the Lokpal bill will hear views of various groups on this issue," Anna Hazare's associate and civil society activist Manish Sisodiya said here.

The first question in the "referendum" will be whether the MPs should support the Jan Lokpal bill proposed by Anna Hazare or not and the second question will be on whether people should vote for those MPs who have opposed the Bill, Sisodiya said.


Copied From:http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-25/news/30200880_1_team-anna-lokpal-bill-anna-hazare

Not joining politics :Anna (short news)

 Anna called Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani's proposed yatra a "gimmick". Anna Hazare said on Tuesday that he was willing to back a clean political party formed by "good" and "likeminded" people of different political parties. Anna, who spoke to television channels at Ralegan Sidhi, insisted he would not join politics though he would definitely campaign against those who oppose the Jan Lokpal Bill.  

Anna called Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani's proposed yatra a "gimmick". 
He said to BJP that to get backing, first appoint Lokayuktas
Asked if he would join any political yatra, including Advani's, Anna shot back: "Absolutely not. If BJP says that they support Anna then they should bring Lokayukta bill in their states. First bring Lokayukta and then (ask for) support." He added that he and his team would support BJP only if it backs "Jan Lokpal" in its entirety in Parliament. 


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Willing-to-back-clean-new-party-Anna/articleshow/9975701.cms

Referendum in constituencies of MPs on Lokpal panel: Team Anna

• Team Anna declared on Sunday that they will hold "referendums" in constituencies of MPs who are part of the standing committee on the Jan Lokpal bill, asking people whether they should vote for their representatives who oppose the bill. Hazare threatened another stir if their demands are not met. "The referendum is meant to gauge people's views on those who oppose the Bill. In next six months, Anna and his team will tour the states where assembly elections are due, to create awareness about stand taken by political parties on the bill," said Arvind Kejriwal. 
• Anna Hazare said he will tour the country and answer those opposed to the Jan Lokpal bill and not give up until the government passes the bill. "If required, I will again start an agitation again, if not from Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan, then from some other place in Delhi," he said. 

• Arvind Kejriwal, fighting off charges of corruption, said, "By October 15, an audit report of expenses incurred by India Against Corruption (IAC) during April 1 to September 30 will be put up on IAC website. All members of the core team will declare their assets. A three-member committee of retired HC/SC judges will be formed to look into complaints about alleged corruption in the expenses.

There are some "over smart" people in the government, Hazare said. "When I was in Delhi I saw five to six people in the government acting as if they were the PM. There was complete confusion and Sonia Gandhi was also not there", he said. 

Editor's views: Isn't IAC becoming a blame game player by making tension by discussing politicians of a particular party in their every press conference . 

However I liked the idea of 'tour of the country' but still 'Referendum in constituencies' asking people whether they should vote for their representatives who oppose the bill, smells political and  more anti-government and less anti-graft. I think IAC is making all those their enemies who oppose their lokpal (including Aruna Roy) which is also not democratic. Its my view rest up to you{comment} 

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Referendum-in-constituencies-of-MPs-on-Lokpal-panel-Team-Anna/articleshow/9949866.cms

Lokpal bill can't root out corruption of lack of morality: Tushar Gandhi

Implementation of Lokpal Bill cannot root out corruption as it talks about graft in politics and administration, felt Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and author of 'Let's Kill Gandhi'."In fact, corruption is existing at every step of our daily life," he said.

He was the chief guest at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial lecture conducted by Sarvodaya International Trust AP Chapter in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of India here on Saturday.Tushar felt corruption cannot be eliminated from the society just by imposing some rules and restrictions."Morality should be observed at individual-level.

Then alone can we expect a change in the society," he pointed out.

"Since April, people have been calling social activist Anna Hazare as second Gandhi stating that he has been fighting against corruption in Gandhian style by doing satyagraha.

But he is a lone crusader against corruption and is surrounded by the most corrupt politicians and bureaucrats without moralities.

We cannot compare Anna with Gandhi," he said.

"Gandhi, during national movement, had people of high morality around him.

But now there are no such people, particularly in Anna's team.

Firstly, we should be honest and then think of the society," Tushar said.

Personal moralities are very important for an individual and for a better society, he observed.

Editor's views: Well he is correct in terms of saying bill alone cannot can uproot corruption as now corruption in not a part of our lives but we are the parts of corruption. But his referring that Anna's team has corrupt people makes us think once again where we are standing!

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lokpal-bill-cant-root-out-graft-tushar-gandhi/183079-60-121.html

Harsh penalty in Jan Lokpal Bill, Indian industry worries

Indian industry is worried over a clause in the Jan Lokpal Bill which seeks to impose a fine of up to five times the loss caused to the public exchequer if a company is found to have been involved in corrupt practice and the charge is proved.

• The Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the Anna Hazare team lists the various punishments that can be meted out for indulging in corruption. Clause 23 (3) of the Bill says, "If the beneficiary of an offence is a business entity, in addition to the other punishments provided for under this Act and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a fine of up to five times the loss caused to the public shall be recovered from the accused and the recovery may be made from the assets of the business entity and from the personal assets of its managing directors, if the assets of the accused person are inadequate."
• It also says that if any company or any of its directors is connected to any offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act that company and all companies promoted by any of the company's promoters shall be blacklisted and ineligible for undertaking any government work or contract in future.

"I feel that each case has to be looked upon based on its merit. In case of a provision seeking a fine of five times, the loss caused to the public, I feel that this clause should specify that it has to be up to five times and not always absolute," said R C Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

"Then the court has a right to decide the appropriate penalty, taking a practical view and keeping in mind the kind of offence. Too much rigidity in law makes it difficult to implement, I feel," said Bhargava, a former bureaucrat.

 "The Lokpal Bill is not really tackling the cause of corruption; it is only tackling the effect. We need to look at the fundamental aspect of why corruption exists. It's because there are discretionary powers which are being misused," said Harish Mariwala, CMD of Marico. "The system is faulty. We need to rectify the system and then only we will be able to weed out corruption."

Editor's View: Well why industralists are getting worried? why are MP's shouting? This all reflects that the bill has the guts to make corrupts feel the required fear. Even the controversial critic of lokpal Ms Aruna Roy think that bill will take care of an aspect of corruption in governance.


Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-06/india/30118135_1_prevention-of-corruption-act-fight-corruption-corrupt-practice

Team Hazare to hold brainstorming session on Jan Lokpal bill

Anna Hazare and his team will start a two-day brainstorming session here Saturday over the future course of action for the Jan Lokpal bill and other issues, an aide of the social activist said Friday. 
"The core committee meeting will start in two sessions tomorrow (Saturday) morning and there will be a public meeting in the evening. Two more sessions shall be held Sunday and the outcome will be informed to the media,” Suresh  Pathare said.
Around 45 people from India Against Corruption and other groups started arriving in the village Friday for the deliberations.While Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan have already reached the village, Kiran Bedi was expected Friday night.

Anna Hazare is also planning to widen the scope of the anti-corruption movement by demanding electoral reforms, the right to recall elected representatives and related issues.

Earlier Friday, Hazare addressed a group of his followers where he challenged Congress spokesman Manish Tewari to prove his allegations of corruption.

"If he can prove that I have taken even Rs100, I am ready to work in his home, fill water for the rest of my life,” declared Hazare, who slapped a legal defamation notice on Tewari Thursday.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_team-hazare-to-hold-brainstorming-session-on-jan-lokpal-bill_1585418

In letter to CBDT, Kejriwal admitted violating bond:Indian Express

As per news paper 'Indian Express'  Kejriwal admitted violating bond, for ‘larger public good’. Paper's report is as follows
|Contesting an Income Tax notice to him over money he owes the government, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal has claimed he did not breach any bond norms. However, in a June 2007 letter, he had admitted to having violated the pledge he had signed before proceeding on a two-year study leave from his government service, adding this was done in “larger public interest”.

“At the time of taking study leave, I had signed a bond that I will return and work for the government for at least two years. I joined back the department on 1 November 2002. However, I worked only for one year to 31 October 2003 and again took extraordinary leave (EOL) without pay from 1 November 2003 to go back to my work on RTI,” Kejriwal wrote on June 26, 2007.

“I could have worked for another year and completed the bond conditions. I would have earned a salary also during that period. However, I decided to take EOL to go back to my mission of working for larger public interest,” said the Indian Revenue Service officer(Arvind Kejriwal) in his letter to the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), a copy of which is with The Indian Express.|

Editor's Views: If he wrote such letter and if he had made this mistake then now a question arises why he put a fake statement before country.There is a dilemma in everyone's mind which is forcefully making us to feel that he may be corrupt, but still its a dilemma, still nothing is clear, still both sides don't have any reliable proofs. My appeal to Supreme Court is to conduct an inquiry as soon as possible so that we may again concentrate on BILL 

Source: Indian Express(papar) 

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-letter-to-cbdt-kejriwal-admitted-violating-bond-for-larger-public-good/841704/

Gujarat Lokayukta: Govt, BJP look to ease standoff

CLICK here  for background of what and why                                        
The BJP leadership and senior figures in the government are in touch and the exchange has narrowed the gap between the two sides over Gujarat governor Kamla Beniwal's controversial decision to name a retired judge as Lokayukta, bypassing chief minister Narendra Modi.
BJP has vehemently protested the appointment, arguing that the governor has violated the Constitution by ignoring the chief minister and also alleging that the new Lokayukta is known to be an anti-Modi campaigner. 


While BJP's blockade of Parliament on Friday morning and its call on President Pratibha Patil drew retaliatory fire from the government with senior ministers Pawan Bansal and Salman Khurshid criticizing the main opposition for preventing the passage of important legislation, efforts to sort out the Gujarat knot are also underway.  
Sources said the government saw some merit in the argument that Beniwal acted in haste even if it will not acknowledge that the Modi government was a victim of a political conspiracy. A careful reading of the Gujarat law shows that procedures were stretched in the high court making the Lokayukta recommendation to the governor and Beniwal not seeking the state government's opinion. 


With action against Modi linked to Congress's credentials as a "secular" force, resolving the Lokayukta tangle is not easy. But with the perception growing that the governor overstepped her authority and the government keen on BJP's cooperation on key legislation, senior ministers do not favour confrontation. 


"We most humbly urge upon your excellency to intervene in the matter and redeem the Constitution and prevent the assault on the federal character of our polity for which it is imperative that the governor who has failed to discharge her duties in a bipartisan manner be immediately recalled," the BJP said in a memorandum submitted to Patil.


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-Lokayukta-Govt-BJP-look-to-ease-standoff/articleshow/9843233.cms

Arvind Kejriwal got an income-tax notice...

Prominent activist and key Anna associate Arvind Kejriwal got an income-tax notice asking him to pay dues of 9 lakh to the government. The notice was slapped on him in August, days before Anna started the second round of his indefinite anti-graft hunger strike. 
"I have not violated any rule. In 2006, when I had resigned from the service, I had written to the government to deduct my dues from my general provident fund (GPF)," Kejriwal said, claiming that he received no response from the government. Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal said the government is "cracking down" on Team Anna.
Khegraval is claming that Intelligence Bureau and other government agencies are visiting his relatives in Siwani in Haryana regularly, harassing them and asking them to provide information on him.  


Kejriwal took study leave from the government between November 2000 and October 2002. Kejriwal again went on leave without pay in 2004. Subsequently, he resigned from the service in February 2006. During 2000-2002, Kejriwal was paid a salary, under the condition that he would not leave the service for at least three years upon returning from the study leave. Kejriwal argued that since he did not resign till well after three years, there has been no violation of the bond conditions. 
Government sources said a notice was served on Kejriwal first in 2007 and the subsequent notice in August was only a follow-up and was unrelated to the former Indian Revenue Service officer's central role in the Anna campaign. Kejriwal did not respond to a text message seeking comment. 


The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Kejriwal's employer (technically the activist is still a government employee as his resignation has not been accepted as he has been unable to produce a no-dues certificate), said in a statement on Friday that the department of personnel and training (DoPT) had rejected Kejriwal's request for a waiver of dues even though CBDT was itself in favour of it. 




Justice Santosh Hegde said the government is taking vindictive steps against Team Anna. The I-T department has also served a notice on Kumar Vishwas, another member of Team Anna. 
Editor's view: It may be a real charge on Arvind Kejriwal or may be a game of government, but one point is clear that there is still more controversies to be revealed or staged in INCREDIBLE INDIA.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Arvind-Kejriwal-in-a-tight-spot-over-I-T-notice/articleshow/9841767.cms

Lokpal bill may have new face: Pranab (INTERVIEWS)

Mukherjee in an interview to NDTV said that the Bill may be a substantially amended
Government Bill or a brand new bill based on all bills. He said the content of the bill is important. He said: "We have accepted the will of a powerful movement, headed by a powerful leader (Anna). Now the Bill which will come as recommended by the standing committee, that will be the bill that we have to consider.” 

Talking about Team Anna’s demand that the panel of the Standing Committee should be reconstructed, he said “every year the panel is reconstructed..this year (too), the panel will be re constructed.”  But who will come from which party depends on party’s concern, he said

When asked why there was no vote regarding the resolution, Mukherjee explained that “there are ways of conveying Parliamentary approval”. He said: “Most of the time, the sense of the House has never been voted (upon). The sense of the house is when we express our happiness..we thump the table...when we express our solidarity with the people of the nation that has had a natural disaster..the Speaker mentions it,…we do not put it to motion..we thump the desk and approve."

Interview Source: NDTV news  

Net Source: http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails010911j.php

Tiwari opts out of Lokpal bill standing commitee

 Congress spokesman and Lok Sabha MP Manish Tiwari on Wednesday  opted out of the Standing Committee that is reviewing the Lokpal Bill. He said, “I support a strong and effective Lokpal Bill, but do not want any controversy to cast a shadow on the deliberations of this important bill. So, I have  decided to recuse myself from the standing committee on Department of Law and Justice.”


The Congress has decided to continue Abhishek Manu Singhavi as the Chairman. According to sources some more members may also leave the Committee to facilitate smooth interactions.

Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh may not be in the Committee which expires its term on August,31. Others whose names are taking round to be excluded from the Committee are RJD supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav and SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
 The next meeting of the panel is scheduled for September 7.

Meanwhile, social activists Aruan Roy and JP Narayan are to supposed to appear before the Committee on September, 7 to present their views on Lokpal Bill. The CBI and CVC directors are  also likely to present themselves before the Committee, possibly, to oppose the proposal of sending these bodies under the Lokpal Bill.


Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/187522/tiwari-opts-lokpal-bill-panel.html