Date: June 6, 201) To, The Chairperson, Joint Drafing Committ > on Lokpal Bil North Block, New Delhi Dear Shi Prana’ Mukhelee, In ine lost meeting, the government made its stand clear on many critical issues of Jan lokpal Bil. This is quite at veriance wh cur stand. On each of these issues, both the sides presented their arguments. In the end, it was not clear how to resolve the stalemate. Recent events since our last meeting don't inspire any confidence that the govemment is serious enough about the Lokpal bill. Outlined here ore few of our key concerns and we hope that you would address these with the utmost urgency so we con get the Lokpal oll back on track to be drafted by 30, June as originally planned. Who should be under Lokpal? Ihe covernment desires to keep practically everyone out cf Lokpal ombit ~ PM, horse trading cf MPs, midelle end lower urecucracy, judiciary. There is c divergence even cn the vision and model of Lokpal. Our estimertes show that if governments sland were accepted, the Lokpal would be lefl 0 invesligale comuplion cf about 3000 odd officers and ministers. Thatis the govemment's vision for Lokpal. Views of stakeholders and public consultations: You suggested that the views of Chief Miristers, political parties and the public would be sought on these issues. We were told! that the manner in which their views would be suugh! would be Uecideu ii cunsullition with us. However, we came to know fiom the media the next day that some ‘cuestionnaire had already been sent. The casval and fivolous manner in which this questionnaire has been designed and sent has alleady been commented upon by several golitical parties and Chief Ministers. We agree with the concerns taised by ther. We wonder whether in the history of parliamentary democracy, such an objective type ‘questionnaire (lo fick mark the rignt answer from the choices of a. b. ¢) was ever sent to the Chief Ministers and political parties before drafting any law. We also wonder whether Ihis is an appropriate way of seeking suggestions. We are also sumpiised thatthe government has not considered it appropriate to seek the opinion of the public, ‘even or this casual questionnaire, We have been insisting right from the fist meeting fo have serious publie consultations with various slaxeholcers ~ not to seek their opinion in the form of a survey questionnaire but fo do collective broinstorming with them to seek mora ideas and opinions. However, the government repeatedly rejected these requests. The government seems to be shying away ‘ror any kind of pubic debate. | Invited you for a public discussion on some of the ciilical issues attecting Lokpal. Sadly, you turned down my invitation. | firmly believe that a properly structured public debate on these iesues televised live where all opinions are presented before the public would go a long way in strengthening our democracy, | again invite you for a debate at a time and place ot your choice, Time Is Running Out: We have to draft this law by 30" June. We are yet to finalize the bosic principles of the law. after whic the crafting would start. The crating itself may jake a few days. Then we wil start discussing each clause of the draft law. This 's quite ‘cn agenda fo be accomplished in the remaining 25 dloys. In the fisl lwo meetings, you cssured that if needed, we will meet on a day fo day basis in June. Though we do Sppreciate that the senior minisies engaged in these discussions have many other things to cttend to, however, government cannot go back on its commitment on this critical issue. Developments so far do not inspite Confidence that this law would be crafted by 30” June. Crack Down at Romilla: All hese developments had raised doub‘s in our minds whether the goversment wes ot all serious in dealing with comuption and heving a strong Lekpal Bil, However, what happened on Saturday night at Ramila Grounds further strengthened our doubts. Helpless and unarmed people. who were protesting peacelully again comuption, were assautied wilhout any provocation. Media teports indicate that this was done after government failed fo reach an agreement with Swami Ramey. |s that a sutticient provocation *o asscult unarrned people in the middle of the nighI@ The high-handed and brutal menner in which the Grounds were evacuated shows that the govemment was commitfec! to crush the people reising their voice against corruption All Ine above developments have reised very serious deubls cbou! the intentions of the government — is the government really serious in dealing with comuption, especially when the gavemment is facing such severe ciilicism on account of so many scams?Government should make its views public on erifical issues: In view of the above, we nave decided net fo attend todoy's meeting of the Icint Committee. We will send a list of mportant issues, inclucing the six issues identitied by the government by tomorow. We would uige you to kindly make govemment’s views public on these issues, sa that an infomed public debate could start on these issues immediately. We hape that you would senel us your detailed stand on each of these issues, wellin advance before the next meeting. Next meeting is scheduled fer 10 June. Anna Hazare |inas some prior engagements on 9 fo 11" June, We would be grateful f the meeting could be rescheduled to any other dato. Yours Sincerely, {Shonti Bhushan) Ca -Chaiar person Sexud wey “4 (omen