Lokpal Bill issue: PM steps up efforts to end deadlock

Lokpal Bill issue: PM steps up efforts to end deadlock

Amid the stalemate over Lokpal Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday stepped up efforts to resolve the issue, so far Kapil Sibal had been holding discussions with Hazare's emissaries -- Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal.

Singh, who held discussions with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, her political secretary Ahmad Patel, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier in the day, held a second round of deliberations with senior ministers this afternoon as activist Anna Hazare, who is sitting on a fast-unto death, declared 'Jail Bharo' agitation from 13th April.

Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Sibal, Mukherjee and Law Minister Veerappa Moily met the Prime Minister at his official residence.

So far, Sibal had been holding discussions with Hazare's emissaries -- Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal.

Hazare has been on a fast-unto-death since Monday demanding formation of a joint committee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill.

Sibal had held two rounds of talks with Agnivesh and Kejriwal but differences persist on the issue of the chairmanship of the committee being given to a civil society member and an official notification being issued in this regard.

PM briefs President on Lok Pal Bill stand-off

In the midst of continued stand-off between the government and civil society activists on the proposed Lok Pal Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday met President Pratibha Patil and briefed her about the efforts being made to resolve the issue.

"The Prime Minister briefed the President about the efforts being made by the government to resolve the differences with the civil society activists on the proposed Lokpal Bill," a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.

During the 35-minute meeting, the Prime Minister and the President discussed about various issues of national and international importance and also the President's forthcoming visit to Mauritius.

The fast unto death of social activist Anna Hazare, demanding formation of a joint committee to draft an effective Lokpal Bill entered the fourth day on Friday with differences persisting on the issue of the chairmanship of the committee being given to a civil society member and an official notification being issued.

Pranab Mukherjee appeals Anna Hazare to end his fast

Pranab Mukherjee on Friday appealed to Anna Hazare to end his hunger strike, which entered the fourth day, and join the informal committee to make an effective Lokpal Bill.

"I appeal to Anna Hazare to end the fast and participate in the informal committee," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

Hazare is sitting on a fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar in the capital to press for an effective Lokpal Bill to deal with corruption in high places.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Congress President Sonia Gandhi had appealed to Hazare to end his fast, assuring him that his views would receive the government's full attention.

"Talks are going on with Anna Hazare," Mukherjee said.

The government has already initiated talks with Hazare on formation of a joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill but failed to reach a consensus on some crucial aspects.

Three of the five demands raised by Hazare and his supporters have been met by the government. These are formation of a joint committee with five members each from government and civil society, immediate setting up of the panel and bringing the Bill in the Monsoon Session.