Harish Rawat appeals to Hazare to end fast and resume talks

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Dehradun, Aug 22: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat has appealed to social activist Anna Hazare to end his fast and come to the negotiating table for the enactment of anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.

Rawat urged Hazare, who has fixed August 30 deadline, to understand the ‘Constitutional limitations’ of the government as the Bill was before the standing committee of Parliament and it was very difficult to fix a timeframe for its passage.

“The working of Parliament is bound by the Constitutional provisions. The government can pass a law according to the provisions of the rule. We want that it (passage of Lokpal or Ombudsman Bill) shouldn’t be confined to a time-limit instead talks should begin and the goal of Anna Hazare, which is also the goal of the government, be achieved,” Rawat said.

Emphasising that he had high regard for Hazare and his team, Rawat expressed hope that a solution would emerge shortly.

Rawat cited the example of RTI Bill where suggestions were incorporated in the standing committee stage itself.

“We are in favour of bringing Lokpal Bill on the lines of RTI bill where nearly 160 amendments were carried by the standing committee,” Rawat said.

Hazare, whose hunger strike has galvanised millions to hold the biggest protests in decades, appeared ready to end a standoff with the government, saying he was open to dialogue. (ANI)