Pass Lokpal Bill or I'll fast again: Anna to PM

New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, stepping up the attack before the Lokpal Bill is introduced in Parliament.
Anna, who is in Bangalore to hold a protest march, wrote in his letter, "You (Prime Minister) yourself assured in your letter that the bill will be passed in this session. We postponed our agitation based on your assurance. The session is ending on December 23. I am doubtful that the Lokpal bill will be passed in this session. CBI is being misused by the government of every party - be it Congress or BJP. If the Lokpal doesn't have its own investigating agency, it is better not to have a Lokpal at all."'
Anna also threatened to go on another fast if the Lokpal Bill is not passed and has appealed to his supporters to be ready for a jail bharo andolan.
"You and your government has assured us a number of times that the bill will be passed in this session. If a strong and effective bill doesn't get passed, then I will be forced to sit on an indefinite fast from December 27. There will be a jail bharo from December 30. I am hopeful that you will fulfill your promise and won't disappoint the people."
In a four-page letter, he alleged that the government's behaviour was "not at all right" and asked why Singh changed his stand on Citizens' Charter despite giving a written assurance that it will be part of the Lokpal bill. He said in the past few months, Singh was giving him assurances through letters that a strong Lokpal Bill will be passed in the Winter Session of Parliament.
Hazare said in the last one year, the government has given a lot of assurances on Lokpal Bill but every time they have betrayed the countrymen.
Demanding bringing CBI'a anti-corruption wing under Lokpal and make it its investigative agency, he said it appeared that no government wants to give away the control over CBI for political reasons.
"Does it mean that Lokpal will not have an investigative agency. Without an investigative agency what will it do? Then it is better that we don't need a Lokpal," he said alleging irrespective of Congress or BJP, CBI was misused.
Hazare said he was surprised to see the Union Cabinet clearing a separate Citizens' Charter on December 13 when Parliament has already passed a resolution in which it is clearly mentioned that it will be under Lokpal.
The activist also pointed out the Parliamentary Standing Committee recommendations on appointment of search and selection committee for Lokpal were fraught with deficiencies as politicians play a major role in it.
Hazare alleged that Parliamentary Standing Committee chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi insulted Parliament by not taking into cognisance the resolution passed by the House. "Out of the three issues - inclusion of lower bureaucracy, Citizens' Charter and state Lokayuktas, two of them have not been accepted. If a Standing Committee Chairman ignores Parliament's resolution, what is the future of our democracy," Hazare said in the letter.
"The Standing Committee report (on Lokpal) is a betrayal of the countrymen," he said.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday assured that the Lokpal Bill will be introduced in Parliament in this session only.
Team Anna is in Bangalore to take forward its anti-corruption campaign and fight for a strong Lokpal Bill. Speaking on the reservation in Lokpal Bill, the 74-year-old Anna said, "It is for Parliament to decide."
Asking Anna to trust the government, Rashid Alvi said, "The government is committed to bringing a strong Lokpal Bill and the deliberations are on.

Source : http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pass-lokpal-bill-or-ill-fast-again-anna-to-pm/212798-37-64.html