M A I N   N E W S

Want autonomous Lokpal, not parallel govt: Hazare

New Delhi, June 22
Civil society representatives today hit out at the government for saying they wanted to create a "parallel government" through an ombudsman and said their draft anti-graft bill aimed for an autonomous Lokpal free of government interference.

Addressing a press conference a day after the final meeting of the 10-member draft Lokpal Bill panel, noted social activist Anna Hazare accused the government of trying to mislead the people on the legislation. The anti-corruption crusader vowed to launch a hunger strike from August 16 at Jantar Mantar if a strong Lokpal bill, as demanded by them, is not passed by Parliament.

"We are ready for everything, whether the government lathicharges, we will sit on hunger strike if our demands are not met," Hazare said.

"We don't want a parallel government. We want an autonomous Lokpal on the lines of Election Commission, and the government can't interfere in its function. We have the Supreme Court and the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which they cannot interfere in," Hazare said. "Just like them, the Lokpal should also be beyond government's interference," he said. — IANS