New Delhi: In a major development, Lok Sabha adopted 'Sense of House' on three key issues raised by Anna Hazare by thumping of desks. After debate, Anna Hazare will break his fast at 10 am tomorrow, according to his close associate Kiran Bedi. Bedi tweeted that the 74-year-old activist does not break his fast after sunset. "Anna is known to have never broken his fast after sunset. Recall, he did so even in April fast. This is his decision again. He decides," she tweeted. Later, Bedi told PTI he will break the fast at 10 am tomorrow. If he breaks his fast tomorrow at 10 am, he will complete 288 hours of his hunger strike which began on August 16.
In a releated development, after extended confusion, the government has agreed that the debate on the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill will be followed with a resolution and a voteb. The resolution that has now been agreed to will convey the House`s acceptance, in principle, of the three demands that Anna has listed as a pre-condition to ending his fast.
The decision came after the Prime Minister met with senior ministers and Opposition leaders LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj to discuss the unexpected speed-breaker which popped up this afternoon.
Earlier, the government, it looks that the last word on Lokpal logjam has still not written.The government has refused to move a resolution in parliament or have a voting to resolve the Lokpal logjam that could end Anna Hazare`s fast. Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan said that this will be a very unfortunate response to what Anna Hazare has written to the PM.
He also said: "We were given the impression last night that there will be a resolution after parliament discusses the matter or a voting. But now we are told that it won`t happen.Now this is not what we had understood at all. This is not ging to be helpful or meaningful. If the government is serious about (Hazare ending the fast), let them at least move a resolution... This will be a very unfortunate response to what Hazare has written to the PM.
Earlier, the debate on Lokpal bill started in both houses off the parliament on Saturday. Starting the debate in Lok Sabha,finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stressing on the necessity of staying within the Constitution. The House also unanimously requested anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare to end his fast, which has entered its 12th day. Meanwhile,Reports are saying that the government has agreed to Anna Hazare`s three key demands
"We are at a crossroads," said Mukherjee in Parliament, kicking off the debate on the Lokpal Bill. "We are being watched by everyone." He called for an objective, dispassionate debate, requesting that MPs try to seek a Constitutionally acceptable solution.
Mukherjee said that if a consensus is arrived at after the debate, the recommendations shall be sent to the Standing Committee. The Committee will examine the recommendations for applicability and constitutionality.
The House will take up Hazare`s Jan Lokpal Bill along with three other versions of the Lokpal Bill including the one Government already tabled in Parliament. Mukherjee pointed put that the Government formed a joint drafting committee half of whose members were nominated by Hazare.
He said that there were 40 basic principles which Hazare and his associates put forward during those meetings. He claimed that out of 40 on 26 basic principles, there was an agreement, there were seven principles, on which in-principle agreement and on seven points there was an agreement but it required editorial changes.
"I appeal to the MPs to use this occasion to pass the Bill without disturbing the constitutional process. I appeal to the MPs to have an objective discussion on this, try to find a solution within the constitutional frame work without harming the democratic supremacy in the matter of legistalation and resolve this impasse," said Pranab.
Explaining the sequence of events from April when Hazare launched his fast for the first time demanding a strong Lokpal, the Finance Minister said that the joint drafting committee met nine time April 16 to June 22. At the time of writing this story, leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj was speaking on Lokpal bill. She said that this is a historic debate. How long it lasts is not important...we must conduct it courteously...if you don`t like what I am saying, let your representatives respond...but let us show the country that its representatives can function well and healthy debate.
She said that the Lokpal bill has been placed in parliament nine times. Even we failed to get it passed twice when we were in power. The timelines that Anna keeps giving...some people are offended that how can they dictate this...but think about this...for so many years, we have all failed to push it through. I blame our party as well. Every idea has a time. I think we can deliver an effective Lokpal to the people. I believe this because there is a huge national movement for it now. Through his campaign, Anna has brought awareness of the Lokpal Bill to everyone.
People are unable to afford two meals a day. But those in power are swindling crores. People ask why a government that keeps saying it wants to fight corruption...but the Lokpal Bill the government delivered...was weak. That is why people have questioned your motives about how serious you are. Your version of the Bill fuelled their anger. The PM addressed us, but there were gaps in his speech. Anna has completed the 11th day of his hunger strike for the Lokpal Bill. Thousands are joining him.
In Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said that any Lokpal Bill must be compatible with the Constitution while stressing that Parliament is the supreme legislative body of the country.
While agreeing with Anna Hazare`s demand for a citizen`s charter and inclusion of all government employees under the Lokpal`s ambit, Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha on Saturday that such a step will be a good for governance.
"All employees and public servants must be accountable. Accounting mechanism could be a part of the Lokpal. We do a need a citizen`s charter and public grievance. Some states have already started it. The Centre should think about it too. It will be a good step for governance," said Jaitley.
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