Giving in to demands from anti-corruption activists, the government today issued a gazette notification on formation of a joint committee headed by senior minister Pranab Mukherjee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill. The notification, one of the key demands of the anti-corruption campaign launched by Gandhian Anna Hazare, has been signed by V K Bhasin, Secretary, Legislative Department of the Law Ministry. The notification was proudly displayed at the site of Hazare's...

Anna Hazare told his supporters to prepare for a bigger battle against the government, if the Parliament fails to pass the Lokpal Bill, a law that the country has been waiting for more than 40 years. Setting August 15 as the deadline, Hazare said that certain corrupt politicians might not let the bill pass easily and if need be a stronger fight against corruption would be required. "This is the battle,...

Government on Friday night blinked in the battle of attrition with Anna Hazare by agreeing to issue a formal order to set up a joint committee for drafting an effective Lokpal Bill and the Gandhian will end his indefinite fast on Saturday. The announcement of an agreement came from both sides late in the night on the fourth day of Hazare's last-unto-death that triggered a nationwide support for his anti-corruption campaign. "Government...

Veteran social activist Anna Hazare, who is continuing with his hunger strike demanding enactment of an anti-corruption bill to give wider powers to the Ombudsman, on Wednesday rejected Union Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister Sharad Pawar's offer to quit from the Group of Ministers (GoM) meant to look into the amendments required in the Lokpal Bill. 72-year-old Hazare criticizing the NCP leader said Pawar should quit his ministry anyway. Pawar today...

Under attack from social activist Anna Hazare, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday quit the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Lokpal bill. "Sharad Pawar has given resignation from the committee. He should give his resignation from the Ministry also. It does not affect us," said Hazare. Pawar had earlier in the day said he would be happy to be relieved from all ministerial panels, including that on corruption. "I will be happy if...