Play constructive role: PMO to Anna

Ahead of his team's proposed indefinite fast beginning next week, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Tuesday asked Anna Hazare to play a constructive role in fighting corruption and other national issues.

Ahead of his team's proposed indefinite fast beginning next week, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Tuesday asked Anna Hazare to play a constructive role in fighting corruption and other national issues.

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In a letter to Hazare, minister of state in the PMO, V Narayanasamy, stated that the government expected the veteran activist to lend his “constructive support” in addressing crucial issues.

“The Prime Minister expects that you will provide your support and constructive cooperation in resolving issues of national importance,” he said in his two-page letter written in Hindi.

The letter is in response to Hazare's demand for setting up a Special Investigation Team to probe graft allegations against 15 ministers, including the PM. The government has spelt out the anti-graft measures taken by it over the last two years.

“We are hopeful with all these steps (taken by the government), we will be able to fulfil our commitment to bring more accountability in the working of the government,” the minister wrote.

Referring to the Lokpal bill, the minister said that it will have provisions for a model law for setting up lokayukta in states.

“The Bill is now with the Select Committee (of Rajya Sabha). The government wishes to incorporate three key demands raised by you and which found mention in the Sense of House resolution on the bill, adopted by Parliament on August 27 last.”

“We have also proposed a strong lokpal bill and a model law for states which will address the concerns raised by parties with respect to (encroachment on) federal structure of the Constitution,” he said.