All-party meet for new Lokpal draft, urges end to Anna’s fast!

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B. Muralidhar Reddy, The Hindu / NEW DELHI, August 24, 2011.

(Top): Social activist Anna Hazare addressing supporters on the ninth day of his fast at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Below): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chairs an all-party meeting on Lokpal at his official residence in New Delhi. Photos: Sandeep Saxena/Atul Yadav - The Hindu / PTI.

Appealing to Anna Hazare to end his nine-day old fast, an all-party meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Wednesday sought to assure the anti-corruption crusader that “due consideration” would be given to his Jan Lokpal Bill “so that the Final Draft of the Lokpal Bill provides for a strong and effective Lokpal which is supported by a broad national consensus”.

However, the carefully worded resolution avoided any reference to timelines or procedures – two metrics that Team Anna has considered crucial in its drive to enact the Jan Lokpal draft within the current session of Parliament.

Dr. Singh’s initiative to take political parties on board came amid growing concerns over the 74-year-old social activist’s health condition and the growing support for his protest.

In the meeting, the majority of opposition leaders called for the withdrawal of the official Lokpal bill introduced in the Lok Sabha, a demand the Congress and its allies rejected.

As a compromise, the all-party resolution referred to the 'Final Draft' of the bill, a phrase which emerged after Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee went into a huddle with BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. Though the phrase leaves little scope for ambiguity that the Bill in its present form is inadequate, there is no clarity yet as to how exactly the Government would put in place a bill which would satisfy all quarters within and outside the Parliament.

The UPA can draw solace from three broad strands that emerged in the course of the all-party deliberations. These are that no party backed the Team Anna bill in its present form, the collective emphasis all parties placed on the supremacy of Parliament and the legislative process and the shared concern over coercive methods.

The Prime Minister set the tone in his opening remarks by pointing out that the “recent developments have raised issues, related to the functioning of our Parliamentary democracy, that concern all of us” and said that against this backdrop he deemed it necessary to seek the guidance of party leaders on the way forward.

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LOK PAL BILL: BJP rips apart PM's statement on Anna Hazare!

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NDTV Correspondent, Updated: August 17, 2011 12:40 IST.

New Delhi:  After the PM made a statement in Parliament on the arrest of activist Anna Hazare, the Opposition produced a strong comeback, accusing the government of lacking the will to fight corruption, and warning that "your arrogance will be your downfall." 

Dr Manmohan Singh told first the Lok Sabha and then the Rajya Sabha that the Delhi Police was forced to arrest Mr Hazare yesterday because he planned to defy prohibitory orders and proceed with his planned fast in the capital. The demonstration was meant to protest against corruption and the new Lokpal Bill introduced by the government that is aimed at checking venality. 

The PM's statement "does not only disappoint us but does not add to information," said the BJP's Arun Jaitley in Parliament. Adding that "we reject this thesis of police action and power", Mr Jaitley said that the government "can't impose conditions which render a protest redundant."

Mr Jaitey, through his speech, stressed repeatedly that while it does not necessarily support Mr Hazare's version of the Lokpal Bill - one developed by his team of activists - it is his emphasis on corruption that is striking a huge chord across a country and that the government must see this "as a wake-up call to set your house in order."

Mr Jaitley also made it clear that it does not believe that Mr Hazare's planned demonstration undermines the exclusive right of the Parliament to handle legislation. In his statement, the PM had said, "When some sections of society deliberately challenge the authority of the Government and the prerogative of Parliament, it is the bounden duty of the Government to maintain peace and tranquility."  

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INDO-PAK TALKS: Joint Statement full text!

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NDTV Correspondent, Updated: July 27, 2011 15:48 IST.

1. The Minister of External Affairs of India, H.E. S.M. Krishna and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar met in New Delhi on July 27, 2011. 

2. The Ministerial level talks were preceded by a meeting between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan on July 26, 2011. 

3. The talks were held in a candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere. 

4. The Ministers reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the holding of meetings on the issues of Counter-Terrorism (including progress on Mumbai trial) and Narcotics Control; Humanitarian issues; Commercial & Economic cooperation; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Siachen; Peace & Security including CBMs; Jammu & Kashmir; and promotion of friendly exchanges. 

5. The Ministers affirmed the importance of carrying forward the dialogue process with a view to resolving peacefully all outstanding issues through constructive and result oriented engagement, and to establish friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations between Pakistan and India. 

6. The Ministers underlined the need for sustained effort by both countries to build a relationship of trust and mutually beneficial cooperation in conformity with the determination of the people of both countries to see an end to terrorism and violence and to realise their aspirations for peace and development. 

7. The Ministers agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security and reiterated the firm and undiluted commitment of the two countries to fight and eliminate this scourge in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism including among relevant departments as well as agencies to bring those responsible for terror crimes to justice.

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SHAME OF MEDIA: Full text of Murdoch's statement to MPs!

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Associated Press, NDTV / Updated: July 20, 2011 14:34 IST.

London:  Text of a prepared statement by Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive of News Corp., for the hearing Tuesday by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. He was permitted to read the statement toward the end of his appearance. The text was released by News Corp.

"Mr. Chairman. Select Committee Members:

"With your permission, I would like to read a short statement.

"My son and I have come here with great respect for all of you, for Parliament and for the people of Britain whom you represent.

"This is the most humble day of my career.

"After all that has happened, I know we need to be here today.

"Before going further, James and I would like to say how sorry we are for what has happened especially with regard to listening to the voicemail of victims of crime.

"My company has 52,000 employees. I have led it for 57 years and I have made my share of mistakes. I have lived in many countries, employed thousands of honest and hardworking journalists, owned nearly 200 newspapers and followed countless stories about people and families around the world.

"At no time do I remember being as sickened as when I heard what the Dowler family had to endure nor do I recall being as angry as when I was told that the News of the World could have compounded their distress. I want to thank the Dowlers for graciously giving me the opportunity to apologize in person.

"I would like all the victims of phone hacking to know how completely and deeply sorry I am. Apologizing cannot take back what has happened. Still, I want them to know the depth of my regret for the horrible invasions into their lives.

 

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