Government's weak Lokpal Bill will 'save' the corrupt: Anna

Attacking the government for keeping the Central Bureau of Investigation out of Lokpal, Anna Hazare on Wednesday accused it of "cheating" the people by bringing a weak Bill to "save" corrupt politicians.

A day after the Union Cabinet approved the Lokpal Bill leaving CBI out of its purview, Hazare said the ombudsman would not be strong and effective if the premier investigation agency was not kept under it.

"If the CBI is outside then how will the Lokpal be strong? This system will save corrupt politicians. If CBI comes under Lokpal then (Home Minister) P Chidambaram would be in jail. You are saving corrupt politicians and say it is a strong Lokpal," he said.

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Rejecting the bill, Hazare also took strong exception to government bringing a separate Citizens' Charter Bill, saying a common man will have to run from pillar to post to get his grievances redressed under the proposed system.

"It is cheating people who will teach them a lesson," Hazare said.

"How can the Lokpal be effective when Citizens Charter is out of its purview? A person will have to go through various levels for redressal of his grievances, what to do? It is like fooling people," he said.

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The activist said he will visit all five poll-bound states and let people know about the misdeeds of the government.

"Ahead of general election, we will visit the whole country and tell people about the government," he said.

The 74-year-old activist has already announced that he will go ahead with his planned fast from December 27 for three days followed by a 'jail bharo' agitation.

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