New Delhi: The deadlock between Team Anna and government continues as Gandhian Anna Hazare’s indefinite fast pressing for a stronger Lokpal Bill to check corruption entered the sThe social activist made it clear that govt’s “divisive tactics” won’t work and will continue his fast till his last breath.

Hazare had set August 30 deadline to the government to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill by August 30, failing which he would continue his fast “till his last breath”. However, the government virtually rejected the August 30 deadline set by Hazare and his team for passing the civil society’s Jan Lokpal Bill.

As the impasses between the govt and team Anna continued, Prime Minister on Saturday indicated his willingness to end the stand-off, saying he was ready for “give and take” to strengthen the anti-corruption legislation.

The parliamentary panel examining the draft Lokpal Bill has invited suggestions from the public.

The development came as the parliamentary standing committee came out with newspaper advertisements seeking people’s opinions on the legislation.

Team Anna trashed the advertisement as an attention-diverting tactic and dubbed the government’s draft bill as “Promotion of Corruption Bill”.

The civil society led by Anna Hazare have been demanding inclusion of Prime Minister, higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament under the ambit of Lokpal.

The Hazare team is also demanding a strong public grievance redressal mechanism, lokayuktas at state-level and independent selection, funding and removal mechanism to ensure autonomy of function.

The Lokpal Bill cleared by the cabinet seeks to keep the office of the Prime Minister outside the purview of the ombudsman during his term in office and also exclude higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament.

The Lokpal, consisting of chairperson and eight members, half of them judicial, will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions.

Source : Zee News