CB Bureau As Anna Hazare’s fast entered its eighth day, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh wrote to him, urging to end the stir. Singh promised that his
views on the Lokpal bill would be considered. Here is the exact text of the
letter:
‘Over the last few days, I have watched with increasing
concern the state of your health. Despite the differences between the
Government and your team, I do not think that anybody is or should be in any
doubt about the deep and abiding concern which I and our Government share about
your health, arising from your continuing fast. I have no hesitation in saying
that we need your views and actions in the service of the nation, from a robust
physical condition and not in the context of frail or failing health.
‘I have maintained that your and our object is identical
viz. to reduce significantly, if not eliminate, the scourge of corruption from
this country. At worst, our paths and methodologies may differ, though I do
believe that even those differences have been exaggerated. The Government is
committed to passing a constitutionally valid and the best possible Lok Pal
legislation with inputs from Civil Society with the broadest possible
consensus. We are ready to talk to anybody. However, we will have to keep in
mind Parliamentary supremacy and constitutional obligations in matters of
legislation. As a Government we respect and are responsible to the Will of the
Indian People as represented by Parliament.
‘As you are aware, the Lok Pal bill is now before a Standing
Committee of Parliament. I have made it clear earlier and would like to restate
that all options are open before the Standing Committee. Undoubtedly, they
would be entitled to consider, in detail and clause by clause, subject to their
discretion, not only the Bill introduced by us but the Jan Lokpal Bill and
other versions like those prepared by Ms Aruna Roy. Equally, I do maintain
that they are fully entitled to make any changes to the Bill introduced by the
Govt. and referred to them. In that view of the matter, the formal non
introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill version by the government is irrelevant and
would largely boil down to a semantic debate.
‘Nevertheless, in view of the concern repeatedly expressed
by your team that the Jan Lokpal Bill version should be before Parliament, but
more particularly and more importantly, in view of my deep and abiding concern
for your health, our government is prepared to request the Speaker, Lok Sabha
to formally refer the Jan Lokpal Bill also to the Standing Committee for their
holistic consideration along with everything else. Furthermore, if you have any
anxieties about time and speed, the Government can formally request the
Standing Committee to try, subject to its discretion and the necessity to
reflect deeply and spend adequate time on an important Bill, and fast track
their deliberations to the extent reasonably feasible.
‘I would like to say that this letter and each suggestion
herein is actuated solely by the twin considerations of deep and genuine
concern about your health and the emergence of a strong and effective Lok Pal
Act in accordance with established constitutional precept and practice.
‘I do hope that you will consider my suggestions and end
your fast to regain full health and vitality.’