AHMEDNAGAR (MAHARASHTRA), SEPT 13:  Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today said he will start a ‘satyagraha’ in New Delhi on the first day of the winter session, for the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament. The Prime Minister had assured Parliament would pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the last monsoon session. But the Central Government did not present the Bill in the Rajya Sabha as assured, Hazare said at his Ralegan Siddhi village about 40 km from here.

“I will start a hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi and the people must agitate in their tehsils, DM’s offices, till we get a strong Jan Lokpal,” said the activist, who is busy making micro plans for his forthcoming nationwide agitation for the anti-corruption Bill.

Hazare appealed to the nation and youth to organise a non-violent ‘satyagraha’ along with him, similar to the one he took up on August 16, 2011.

The subsequent popular agitation had forced the Government to convene a special meet of Parliament which passed a resolution agreeing with three of his crucial demands.

The septugenarian demanded that the Prime Minister should urge the President to convene a special session of Parliament as the Bill has been pending for close to two years after being passed in the Lok Sabha.

After being passed in the Lok Sabha in December 2011, the Bill was referred to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha, which is yet to submit its report.

The Government lacks the will to stop corruption and bring in the Jan Lokpal Bill, while it has passed a lot of other bills such as on food security, land, election reforms, pension, etc, Hazare lamented.

The activist had earlier this year toured the country after the formation of Jantantra Morcha.

From : Business Line