Cabinet fails to clear National Sports Bill

National Sports Bill, aimed at regulating the functioning of national sports federations and putting an age limit on their bosses, on Tuesday failed to go through Cabinet due to stiff resistance by a number of ministers.

At the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the National Sports Development Bill was discussed and a number of ministers raised objections.

Subsequently, it was decided that the bill should be re-worked by the Sports Ministry before it could be again considered.

In the cabinet, at least three ministers -- Vilasrao Deshmukh, C P Joshi and Farooq Abdullah -- head Cricket Associations while Sharad Pawar is the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Praful Patel is the chief of the All India Football Federation.

The bill had sought to bring in revolutionary changes in the functioning of sports bodies in the country, which included putting an age limit of 70 years and tenure restrictions besides bringing these bodies under RTI.

Parliamentary Panel submits report on Judicial Accountability Bill

The Parliamentary Standing committee that examined the Judicial Accountability and Standards bill recommended that Judges should not make unnecessary comments on statutory authorities while adjudicating on issues brought before them. 

The report of the committee was tabled in both the houses of parliament on Tuesday.

Later briefing media, the committee chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the bill seeks to balance judicial independence with accountability.  He said 12 judicial standards have been prescribed for members of higher judiciary.

Singhvi said the committee recommended certain changes in the proposed bill. The most important being to reform the process of appointment of judges to attract the best talent to the bench.

The committee said non-judicial members should be included in both the scrutiny and oversight committees.

Penalty for making false and frivolous complaints against judges is also proposed to be reduced to just one year from the five years as proposed in the bill.

Singhvi explained that oversight committee that monitors conduct of the judges will set up scrutiny committees at the Apex Court and all the High Courts to examine the complaint.

If prima facie is established oversight committee will set up investigation committee for a thorough probe before a recommendation is made to the President.  

Pranab to make a statement in LS tomorrow on Lokpal issue

Pranab Mukherjee seeks permission from Speaker Meira Kumar to make a statement in Lok Sabha on Saturday on the Lokpal issue.

Pranab Mukherjee's statement will form basis of a day-long discussion on Lokpal issue, parliamentary affairs Minister said.

Lok Sabha could discuss the Lokpal issue tomorrow after a statement on it either by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The consensus emerged in a meeting of Leader of the House and all political parties in the office of Speaker Meira Kumar.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat said there is a likelihood that the discussion will start tomorrow after either of the two ministers make a statement as demanded by Opposition parties in the meeting.

Commenting on BJP's opposition to hold the discussion under rule 193, which does not entail voting, Rawat said that the Oppostion party's demand to discuss the matter under rule 184 that entails voting was an "after-thought".

He said that even in today's meeting a number of other political parties were not supportive of the demand for holding the discussion under rule 184.

Sources said that BJP gave two options to the government- either accept its demand for discussion under rule 184 or commence it in the House after a statement by the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister.

"A middle path is that begin the disucussion after a minister's statement. Let us not go either by rule 184 or rule 193," another Union minister said on the condition of anonymity.

Young Congress MPs Milind Deora, Jitin Prasada, Deepinder Singh Hooda and Sachin Pilot also discussed the issue with the Speaker.

Earlier, Union Ministers Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Rajiv Shukla huddled for a meeting in Bansal's room.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister later also had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Rosaiah named new Tamil Nadu Governor, Farook shifted to Kerala

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah was on Friday appointed as the new Tamil Nadu Governor while Jharkhand Governor M O H Farook was shifted to Kerala in a slew of announcements for gubernatorial posts by President Pratibha Patil.

Konijeti Rosaiah (78) replaces Surjit Singh Barnala who took over the post on June 20, 2006.

Rosaiah, a prominent leader from Guntur, assumed charge as AP Chief Minister on September 3, 2009 after the death of the then Chief Minister of the state Y S Rajsekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash, and held the post till November 24, 2010.
The President has also given additional charge of Goa to Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan, a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.
Sankaranarayan and Farook will carry on their new assignments till the end of their terms, it said.
Their terms will end in January, 2015.
President has also appointed Ram Naresh Yadav as Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Vakkom Purushothaman as Governor of Mizoram and Syed Ahmed as Governor of Jharkhand.
"Their appointments will take effect from the dates they assume their respective charges," the statement said.
79-year old Sankaranarayanan had assumed charge Maharashtra Governor on January 22, 2010.

Before coming to Maharashtra, he was appointed the Governor of Nagaland on February 3, 2007 and held the post till July 25, 2009 when he was appointed Jharkhand Governor.

Farook, 73-year old leader from Puducherry, took over as Jharkhand Governor on January 22, 2010.

He was also the Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia from September 2004 to December 2009.

Vakkom B Purushothaman is 83-year old veteran Congress leader from Vakkom, Kerala.

He has been the member of All India Congress Committee for over 25-years.

An advocate, Purushothaman held the post of Lt.Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for three years from March 1993.

Yadav, 83-year old leader from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh was the Chief Minister of the state from 1977-79 as Janta Party member.

He has contested 2004 Lok Sabha elections rom Azamgarh on a Congress ticket but lost. Syed Ahmed is a former Maharashtra Cabinet Minister.

Need to collectively find credible solution to corruption: PM

The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that the government is seeking a credible solution to the Lok Pal logjam. 

Replying to the debate in the Lok Sabha on situation arising out of corruption, Dr Singh said corruption is a major national issue.

Stating that there is need to collectively find credible solutions to corruption, he said, the government will do everything in its power to clean the system.

He said government is committed to a strong and effective Lok Pal Bill and is open to suggestion from all sections. Dr Singh said the Standing Committee will give its full consideration to all drafts on Lok Pal Bill including that by Team Anna.

He said all versions of Lok Pal bill will be debated in parliament and then referred to the Standing Committee.

Dr Manmohan Singh also appealed to Anna Hazare to end his fast. Speaker and other members of the Lok Sabha also joined Prime Minister in his appeal to Anna.

PM asks Hazare to adopt more rational approach on Lokpal

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has asked ex Chief Justice of India JS Verma to use his good offices to urge Anna Hazare and his supporters to adopt a more rational approach with regard to his demand for a strong Lokpal.

Singh said that nothing should be done to undermine Parliamentary democracy. This came in the wake of the deadlock between Team Anna and the government over the Lok Pal issue.

Responding to a letter from former Chief Justice J S Verma, Singh asserted that it is only after "due deliberation" that a law can be passed that not only meets the aspirations of the people but is also "practical and effective".

Virtually rejecting the August 30 deadline set by Hazare for passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill, he said, "It is the bounden duty of Parliament to pass a law only after its members have had reasonable time and opportunity to hear a wide range of public opinions and apply their minds to its various provisions."

Soni asks media to be objective and impartial

Union I&B Minister Ambika Soni has made a strong pitch for objective and impartial reporting of events while asking the press to ensure that one-sided views are not propagated.

"I appeal to the media to try and realise its strength. If this strength is misused or utilised in propagating only one-sided views, then the nation may suffer," Soni told reporters outside Parliament on Thursday.

She said, "The media is free and it should act responsibly to convey and create a level-playing field. It is the duty of the media to be objective and impartial."

Asserting that she was a liberal person, the Minister said, "I am accused of being too liberal. But, I am following the Constitution. And I expect my colleagues of the media ... your editors and owners of media houses, that the level playing field is also written in the Constitution of India."

"The UPA government and Dr Manmohan Singh are the liberal face of Indian democracy. None of us wants to go against any provision of the Constitution. Media enjoys full rights, but that should not mean that you don't remain objective. It should definitely not mean that you associate with one point of view and ignore another point of view. And it should definitely not mean that you should not lay a level-playing field," she said.

Soni said, "When it seems that the media is attached to one point of view, then others who do not subscribe to one side also have the right not to agree to this. When media takes sides, every MP has anger towards it."

The I&B Minister said, "MPs feel that the opinion which media is propagating is not the public opinion all over the country. After all, every MP represents 10 to 12 lakh voters in Parliament. They feel that people don't feel the same what the media is projecting all the time."

She further stated, "To propagate that MPs should be gheraoed is not justified." Soni said she was no less than anyone wanting to end corruption in the country.

"There may be different voices, but the objective is the same -- to free the nation from corruption."

On Hazare, she said that all MPs have sincerely appealed to him to end his fast.

PM says Anna's fast and failing health are a matter of concern

Prime Minister along with all political parties has expressed concern over Anna Hazare's health after he refused doctors' advice to be put on an intravenous drip once again on Wednesday morning even though the Gandhian increased his intake of fluid.

The 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader has lost another 200 grams in the past 24 hours with his weight settling at 66.2 kg.

He was 72 kg before he began his fast on August 16.

His blood pressure was recorded at 104/86 while blood sugar was 106 and pulse rate 82.

"After his intake of fluid was increased, his health has stabilised. We have put the team of doctors on full alert. We are keeping a strict vigil on his health," Dr Naresh Trehan told reporters at the Ramlila Ground after examining him.

Trehan, who along with his team is monitoring Hazare's health, said the Gandhian's water intake has been increased after he refused to be put on IV drips.

He said the doctors had asked Hazare to cooperate with them and take IV drip but he refused, saying his "inner conscience" does not allow him to do so.

"We have examined him this morning. We requested him to be on IV drips but he again refused," Trehan said.

"The ketone level in blood is increasing. We had recommended Hazare's hospitalisation to ensure that he does not come in the danger zone," he said.

Looking tired and unshaven, Hazare made an appearance on the dais around 10:30 am and was cheered by the crowd as he raised his hand chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.

Hazare yesterday disregarded doctor's advice to be put on IV drip and refused to take any medicine and warned government against trying to forcibly evict him from the protest site of Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

He asked supporters to block the gates to the grounds if any such attempt was made.

Dr Trehan, who along with his team is monitoring Hazare's health, said the Gandhian's water intake has been increased in view of his health.

"After his intake of fluid was increased, his health has stabilised. We have put the team of doctors here on full alert. We are keeping a strict vigil on his health," he told reporters.

He said the doctors had asked Hazare to cooperate with them and take IV drip but he has refused, saying his conscience does not allow him to do so.

"The ketone level in blood is increasing. We had recommended Hazare's hospitalisation to ensure that he does not come in the danger zone," Trehan said.

Amar Singh, Kulkarni chargesheeted in cash for vote scam

Former SP General Secretary Amar Singh was chargesheeted in a Delhi Court in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam along with two ex-BJP MPs and L K Advani's former close aide Sudheendra Kulkarni for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to bribe MPs ahead of a confidence vote in Lok Sabha.

 

Kulkarni has been dubbed as the "mastermind" of the scam and he allegedly remained in touch with all conspirators and was present when the "illegal gratification" was paid to the MPs, according to the charge sheet.
The two former BJP MPs named in the charge sheet are Phagan Singh Kuleste and Mahaveer Singh Bhagoda.
Sanjeev Saxena, former aide of Amar Singh and Suhail Hindustani, alleged BJP activist, who are in judicial custody, have also been chargesheeted in the case.
However, the name of sitting BJP MP Ashok Argal, who was sought to be bribed to disobey the party line, was not mentioned in the charge sheet and Delhi Police said it would file a supplementary charge sheet after taking the requisite sanction to prosecute him.
The 80-page charge sheet was filed before Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal.
It will come up for cognisance before her tomorrow.
It alleged that Amar Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP, "conspired" with Saxena and others to bribe the then MPs and Kulkarni played an "active role" during the confidence motion.
The charge sheet alleged that during investigation "sufficient evidence" has come on record that on morning of July 22, 2008, Amar Singh, MP "hatched a criminal conspiracy with his secretary Sanjeev Saxena to deliver cash of Rs one crore as illegal gratification."
"And in furtherance of this criminal conspiracy, Saxena, along with another person in a yellow shirt, delivered Rs one crore cash at 4, Ferozeshah Road at about 11 AM to the three BJP MPs -Argal, Kuleste and Bhagoda as advance out of a total deal of Rs nine crore as Rs three crore (were to be paid) to each MP to abstain from voting during the motion of confidence," it claimed.
"And thus Amar Singh has committed offence under section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act read with section 120 B (conspiracy) of IPC for which the charge sheet is being submitted against him," the police alleged.
The charge sheet referred to the alleged role of Advani's former aide Kulkarni accusing him of keeping the probe agency in the dark about the whole episode of which he had "full knowledge."
"Kulkarni throughout remained in contact with other conspirators and played an active role and masterminded (it) and when actually the bribe money was paid to the BJP MPs, he remained present at the spot," it claimed.
It said he was "fully aware" that money had been paid to the three MPs but did not inform the law enforcement agencies about the illegal gratification.
The charge sheet said Argal would be prosecuted after securing the sanction from the appropriate authority and a supplementary charge sheet would be filed.
"The requisite prosecution sanction in respect of Ashok Argal, MP is being sought from the competent authority and after that supplementary charge sheet will be submitted under section 173 (8) of CrPC against Argal," the charge sheet said.

PM asks Anna to end his hunger strike

On the eighth day of Anna Hazare's agitation, a concerned PM Manmohan Singh on Tuesday directly reached out to him with an appeal for ending fast and a promise that his Jan Lokpal Bill could be considered by Parliament along with the govt draft.

In a letter to Hazare, Singh said the government would request Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to refer the Team Hazare bill to the Parliamentary Standing Committee which would then be formally asked to "fast track their deliberations to the extent reasonably feasible".

Singh said his government's objective with regard to tackling corruption was "identical" to that of Hazare and was ready to talk to anybody to enact a "constitutionally-valid and the best possible Lokpal" while keeping in mind the Parliamentary supremacy and Constitutional obligations.

"Over the last few days, I have watched with increasing concern the state of your health," he wrote to the civil activist who is fasting at Ramlila Ground for a strong Lokpal.

"Despite the differences between the Government and your team, I do not think that anybody is or should be in any doubt about the deep and abiding concern which I and our Government share about your health, arising from your continuing fast," the Prime Minister said.

The letter is actuated by the "twin considerations of deep and genuine concern about your health and the emergence of a strong and effective Lok Pal Act in accordance with established constitutional precept and practice," Singh said.

"I do hope that you will consider my suggestions and end your fast to regain full health and vitality," he wrote.

About the issues for which Hazare is fasting, Singh said, "I have maintained that your and our object is identical viz. to reduce significantly, if not eliminate, the scourge of corruption from this country".

"At worst, our paths and methodologies may differ, though I do believe that even those differences have been exaggerated."

The Prime Minister underlined the government's commitment to passing a "constitutionally valid and the best possible Lok Pal legislation with inputs from Civil Society with the broadest possible consensus" for which "we are ready to talk to anybody."

However, "we will have to keep in mind Parliamentary supremacy and constitutional obligations in matters of legislation. As a Government we respect and are responsible to the will of the Indian people as represented by Parliament," he said.

Noting that the Lok Pal bill is now before Parliamentary Standing Committee, Singh said, "I have made it clear earlier and would like to restate that all options are open before the Standing Committee."

Undoubtedly, the Committee would be entitled to consider, in detail and clause by clause, "subject to their discretion, not only the Bill introduced by us but the Jan Lokpal Bill and other versions like those prepared by Ms. Aruna Roy", the Prime Minister wrote to Hazare.

"Equally, I do maintain that they (Committee) are fully entitled to make any changes to the Bill introduced by the government and referred to them," he said, adding "In that view of the matter, the formal non-introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill version by the government is irrelevant and would largely boil down to a semantic debate."

Uproar in Par over corruption, Lokpal issue

Anna Hazare's fast on the issue of Lokpal cast its shadow on Parliament on Tuesday with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessing repeated adjournments over Lokpal Bill.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day without transacting any business after the two Houses witnessed two adjournments each.

It was trouble from the word go with BJP giving notices in both Houses for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the serious situation caused by lakhs of people in the country coming out on the streets to protest against corruption.

In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj hit out at the government saying "it cannot wash its hands off the protests which are a result of the deep-rooted corruption in the government."

Swaraj dubbed the Lokpal Bill introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha as "poor, weak and ineffective".

The Lok Sabha also witnessed clashes between DMK and BJP members over issues to be taken up for discussion.

BJP members wanted an immediate discussion on corruption in the backdrop of Hazare's agitation, while the DMK pressed for a debate on Sri Lankan Tamils as listed in the agenda.

Both the Houses saw two adjournments - first soon after it met for the day and then at noon till 2 PM.

When the House met at 2 PM, the BJP and DMK members clashed again and Deputy Speaker Kariya Munda adjourned it for the day.

The story in the Rajya Sabha was no different.

As soon as the House reassembled at 2 PM, BJP members rushed to the well and raised slogans, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.

BJP members led by Purshottam Rupala and Rudra Narayan Pany and AIADMK members raised slogans demanding a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Hazare issue.

In the Lok Sabha, as soon as the Speaker took up the first listed question, Opposition members were on their feet demanding suspension of Question Hour and discussion on corruption.

The Speaker said there was no rule that allows suspension of the Question Hour.

However, as a special case she would allow leaders of parties to put forth their views on corruption and take up the Question Hour thereafter.

As Swaraj made references to several scams allegedly involving some Union ministers, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal objected to it contending that the Leader of the Opposition was speaking on a matter which was beyond the ambit of the notice.

Anna continues his fast at Ramlila Ground

Social Activist Anna Hazare is continuing his fast at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi to press for his demands, among other demands he is seeking inclusion of Prime Minister in the Lok Pal, Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements around the venue with about 400 personnel.

Hazare agreed to move from Tihar Prison, where he was kept after being arrested on 16^th August to Ramlila ground in the walled city after government agreed to his demands of holding the fast without any restrictions on the number of supporters.

The 73-year-old Gandhian led a procession from Tihar prison and went to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi before taking the centre-stage at the ground, a famous venue for the annual Dusherra celebrations.

Team Ann member and a former top cop Kiran Bedi constantly addressed people telling them to maintain calm and remain peaceful as Hazare's procession inched towards the venue.

Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements inside and outside the venue with about 400 personnel being deployed to ensure security of people. The Police set up several gates and frisked people before letting them in.

Replying to questions whether he was shifting the goalpost after agreeing to restrict the fast to a fortnight, Hazare's close associate Arvind Kejriwal said "Anna Hazare will be here."

The Delhi Police Commissioner has agreed that the fast can be extended by a week on four days' notice, he said.

"We are willing to have a discussion with the government with an open mind but there cannot be any compromise on corruption," Hazare aid Prashant Bhushan said.

Planning Comm sets 9 pc growth rate for 12th FYP

The Planning Commission is likely to peg the growth target for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) at 9 percent despite the ongoing global financial turmoil, the full Plan panel meet is to be presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Saturday.

"India has a capacity to grow at 9 per cent... by 2025 India will be the third largest economy after China and the USA in terms of gross domestic product," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.

The full Planning Commission meet scheduled for Saturday, will consider the draft Approach paper for the 12th Plan that will seek to raise the annual economic growth rate to 9 percent from 8.2 percent estimated in the current five year period (11th Plan). The full Plan panel meet is to be presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Approach Paper provides a broad framework of the government policy to be pursued in the five-year period to achieve the desired growth rate.

The document will be placed before the Union Cabinet for consideration before being taken up for discussion and final approval by the country's highest policy-making body, the National Development Council (NDC).

The NDC, which is headed by the Prime Minister, comprises Union ministers and state Chief Ministers.

Replying to a question on impact of global financial problems, Ahluwalia said that these may have implication for the short term but "we are planning for the five year period."

Regarding the current fiscal, he said that economic growth could range between 8 to 8.3 percent.

Elaborating further about the country's growth potential, Ahluwalia said, "In our view, given state of the World and given the many difficulties we will face if we try to accelerate growth, we are in favour of choosing 9 per cent growth rate (for 12th Plan)."

"Some people say that it too optimistic. I do not think it is fair," Ahluwalia said.

On uncertainties due to global financial turmoil he said, "There are a lot of difficulties across the world but we are not making the Plan for this year. We are talking about what should be our target in the next five years beginning 2012-13."

"Assuming that there will be a return to stability in the global economy, even if the industrialised countries do not grow as rapidly as they are growing, Indian economy has the capacity to achieve 9 per cent growth rate. I think that it (9 per cent GDP growth rate) is feasible but difficult," he added.

About the agriculture he said we need to concentrate on the sector.

"In the current Plan we would record 3 per cent average annual growth in farm sector against the targetted 4 per cent and we will be aiming 4 per cent in the 12th Plan."

He also pointed out that there is need to deal with the problem of subsidies particularly those, which are not direct. He citied example of diesel, kerosene, LPG, fertlizers and power sector.

"The state electricity boards would suffer losses to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore in the current fiscal which are not sustainable in the longer run", he said.

The Commission will also stress on the need for more attention to urbanisation in the country as the population in cities would further increase. At present 31 percent of the population of the country lives in urban areas.

About the USD one trillion envisaged investment in the infrastructure sector, he said, "We have recommended that at least 50 per cent of the investment in infrastructure sector should come through public private partnership."

On environmental issues delaying projects, he said, "Some balance has to be struck."

Eligibility for OBCs at most 10% less than gen category: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that the minimum eligibility percentage for admission in central universities for OBC category should be at most 10 percent less than that of general category students.

A bench headed by Justice R V Raveendran said that the eligibility criteria for OBC category students should not be decided on the basis of admission given to the last candidate in general category.

 

The bench, however, clarified that there would be no disturbances in the admissions which have already been done by the universities for this academic session.

The court's clarification came a petition filed by P V Indersan, a former professor of IIT Madras, seeking its direction in the light of discrepancies in implementation of OBC quota in different educational institutions.

Indersan had approached the apex court challenging a Delhi High Court judgement which said the cut-off marks for OBC candidates should be 10 per cent less than the minimum eligible marks for general category candidates.

He pointed out that there are discrepancies in implementing OBC quota in central universities.

He had submitted that Delhi University is following a different yardstick by which the gap in cut-off for OBC students and general category students should not be more than 10 per cent where as in JNU, the practice of 10 per cent relaxation in minimum eligibility criteria is being followed.

The apex court, after hearing all the sides, upheld the Delhi High Court order.

Permission for Ramlila ground with conditions till 2nd Sept: Govt

Permission has been given to Anna Hazare and his associates for his fast at Ramlila Maidan till 2nd September and it is conditional, Home Secretary R K Singh said on Thursday.

He said the government was not involved in any discussion with Team Anna and it was the Delhi Police which held the talks and resolved the issue amicably.

"The Delhi Police discussed with Team Anna and, thereafter, they have come to a decision. What the Delhi Police conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs is that the permission was given till September two on the usual sort of conditions," he told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.

Singh said it was not proper to say the agreement was a victory for one side and defeat for the other "but the basic issue was that permission for certain ground and certain period was given with some sort of conditions. If someone is saying that this is a victory or something, this is not the right way to say. This is not a question of victory or defeat," he said.

The Home Secretary said conditions of a particular ground mandated a certain size of crowd as well as of available parking.

"An agreement has been reached on another ground and the size of that ground is much larger. So the size of the crowd does not matter," the Home Secretary said, referring to Ramlila Maidan.

He said, "Conditions are there. Some conditions remain same. For example, the condition of using loud speakers remains the same as the condition imposed for the earlier ground. The condition that the doctors will examine remains the same. Doctors will examine. The organisers and the Delhi Police have agreed to these conditions."

Singh said Team Anna has to make its own arrangements on basic issues and whenever the ground would be ready, they would go there.

"The issue has been resolved by the Delhi Police through negotiation and through complete understanding. It was good," he said.

Meanwhile, team Anna Hazare has indicated that it may not insist on the judiciary being brought under the ambit of the Lokpal if the govt brings out a good Judicial Accountability Bill.

"PM has to be within the ambit of the Lokpal. As far as the judiciary is concerned, if a good Judicial Accountability bill can be brought along with the Jan Lokpal Bill then we are open to it," he told reporters outside Tihar jail on Thursday. 

Hazare to go to Ramlila Maidan on Friday

Anna Hazare will launch his protest at Ramlila Maidan on Friday as the venue is yet to get readied for the fast and will stay for one more night in Tihar Jail, activist Arvind Kejriwal said.

"I spoke to Annaji. In view of the conditions at Ramlila Maidan, Annaji will reach Ramlila Maidan tomorrow," Kejriwal said.

Another Hazare associate Kiran Bedi said the Gandhian will not move out of Tihar Jail till he embarks on his journey to Ramlila Maidan to launch the protest.

Hazare reached an agreement with Delhi Police early Thursday morning on the protest venue and the conditions.

As soon as Hazare announced that he would move to Ramlila, MCD which owns the ground deployed around 100 workers to clean the facility but the work was so massive that they could not finish it by the afternoon as desired by the Gandhian's team.

Earlier, Bedi had said that Hazare will go to the Maidan after 3 pm on Friday.

Hazare was lodged in Tihar Jail on Tuesday evening after he was detained for going ahead with his plans to defy prohibitory orders in J P Park in New Delhi.

However, he was released later but he refused to come out of the prison demanding that there should not be any restrictions on his protest.

After hard bargaining for two days, Hazare and Delhi Police reached an agreement early Thursday morning under which Delhi Police removed all restrictions and allowed him to carry out his hunger strike for 15 days in the spacious Ramlila Maidan.

The breakthrough came in the wee hours of the day after top aides of Hazare met Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta.

Anna continues to remain inside the premises of Tihar Jail

Hectic negotiations were on tonight to break the logjam in Tihar jail from where Anna Hazare has refused to come out despite government climbing down on issues like the venue and period of protest over which it had earlier put stiff conditions.

There were reports that agreement was reached between the two sides on the venue where Hazare could hold his indefinite fast shifted from JP Park to more spacious Ramlila maidan but by evening the negotiations were said to be stuck on the number of days he would be allowed to stage his protest.

Senior Delhi Police officials were in discussions with team Anna Hazare in Tihar jail till late in the evening and the civil society activists were said to be insisting on being allowed to stage his fast for a stronger Lokpal for a longer period than the seven days that Police was inclined to allow him.

Highly placed sources said all members of the Hazare team were agreeable to the seven days limit with a rider that the situation could be reviewed everyday thereafter but one activist- Arvind Kejriwal was not agreeable to it.

Another close associate of Hazare, Kiran Bedi, admitted as much when she told crowds outside the Tihar jail that negotiations were still on and Hazare was unlikely to come out anytime soon.

Through Delhi Police, the government is understood to have conveyed to Hazare's team that Police would no longer insist on restrictions on the number of people which could attend the fast and movement of people.

Hazare continued his fast for the second consecutive day as the government was caught in a cleft as to how to deal with the embarrassing stand-off.

He spent the night in the administrative block of the jail along with his associate Arvind Kejriwal.

Hundreds of people continued their vigil outside the jail premises as Hazare made it clear that he would come out of the prison only if he is given permission to stage the indefinite fast.

Hazare's aide Manish Sisodia, who came out of the jail last night, said though the Gandhian was given bail he did not agree to the terms and conditions imposed by authorities.

To a specific question, Sisodia said Anna has told the jail authorities that he will not leave the premises until the police tell him the status of his application for launching a hunger strike at the JP Park.

"He told them very clearly that he wants to sit and fast there with his followers. So this is the status and we are fasting here outside Tihar jail," he said.

On reports that yoga guru Ramdev will also join the protest, he said, "I have no official confirmation but whoever wants to join they are welcome."

When Hazare's supporters shouted slogans against HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Sisodia said the Gandhian has given "strict instructions" not to raise any slogans against any person or party.

Chidambaram asserts right to make law is with Parl

Insisting that there was no wrongdoing in the arrest of Anna Hazare, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the govt would deal with him "administratively and politically" but made it clear that his Jan Lokpal Bill was not acceptable.

Insisting that there was no wrongdoing in the arrest of Anna Hazare, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said the government would deal with him "administratively and politically" but made it clear that his Jan Lokpal Bill was not acceptable.

Replying to a debate on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on Hazare episode, Chidambaram asserted that making laws was the sovereign right of Parliament although the views of civil society could be taken on board.

He said "respected" Hazare has the "undoubted right" to protest "as long as he wants" but subject to certain conditions and hoped he would do so.
Narrating the sequence of events that led to Hazare's arrest, Chidambaram argued that it was not the first time that Section 144 of CrPC was invoked and that the activist had been held for the intent to violate prohibitory orders.
"If there is apprehension of breach of peace, there can be arrest as a preventive measure... In this case it was quite clear that Hazare was going to violate Sec 144," he said, adding that decisions about Hazare's arrest were taken by the police and he was kept informed.
Chidambaram said Hazare had conveyed this to the police officers who met him at an apartment in Mayur Vihar locality.
"I salute him. As a true Gandhian he said he will go to Jai Prakash Narayan park and violate the prohibitory orders," he said.
"What wrong did we do? No force was used. No one was injured," he said while terming Hazare's arrest as "inevitably unfortunate".

Chidambaram said it was an administrative decision but getting him released from court was a political decision

We will deal with Hazare issue politically and administratively, fairly and justly and dispassionately, and without any bias," Chidambaram said, responding to a question from JD-U leader Sharad Yadav.

Referring to Hazare's demand for enactment of the Jan Lokpal Bill, he said, "There is a case for a Lokpal Bill and the Jan Lokpal Bill. Their demand is not a Lokpal but Jan Lokpal. They (Hazare's team) say unless the Jan Lokpal Bill is passed we will continue our protest."
Questioning whether this should be accepted, he said, "I don't accept. I accept the demand of Anna Hazare for a strong and effective Lokpal but I reject his argument that only his Jan Lokpal is passed."
He described as an "astonishing statement", Hazare's comments that he has faith in Parliament but no faith in elected members of Parliament.
"Do not diminish the sovereign right of Parliament to make laws. The day this right is diminished even my one millimetre that will be the saddest day.... The people have the right to vote us in and vote us out of Parliament but no right to make a law. That right has been given to us by the people," he said.
Talking about Hazare's case, he said the police did not seek judicial custody for him and the magistrate also told him that he would release him if he gave a bond.
"But as a true Gandhian, he refused," Chidambaram said, adding he was not criticising and it was not a laughable matter.

Taming inflation is govt's top priority: PM

Emphasising that controlling inflation is the government's top priority; Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said rising prices are as a result of global factors like high commodity and oil rates.

"Controlling rising prices is the primary responsibility of any government... Sometime, we have been confronted with a situation in which the reasons for rising prices lay outside the country. The prices of petroleum products, foodgrains and edible oil have risen steeply in international markets in recent times," Singh said in his Independence Day address to the nation on Monday.

Inflation, particularly of food articles, has been persistently high for several months.

Both general and food inflation figures are near double digits, causing hardships to the common man and leading to high cost of borrowing that affects the economic activity.

Barring the past few weeks, commodity and crude prices have been rising in global markets, affecting the Indian economy which largely depends on imports for meeting its oil requirements.

Food inflation for the last week ended July was 9.90 percent, while the general inflation was ruling at 9.44 percent in June.

"Our country is passing through a phase of sustained high inflation," the Prime Minister said, adding, "I wish to assure you that we are continuously monitoring the situation to find out what new steps can be taken to arrest rising prices.
"Finding a solution to the problem will be our topmost priority in the coming months," Singh said.

Singh said the road ahead is long and arduous in the wake of slowing world economy.

"Particularly, the prevailing situation, both inside and outside the country, is such that if we do not act with understanding and restraint, our security and prosperity can get adversely affected," he said.

The world has recognised India's potential to be one of the major economic powers globally, the Prime Minister said, adding, however, that the "problem of corruption is a big obstacle in such a transformation".

The situation of price rise can be tackled by increasing supply of essential commodities, he said, complimenting farmers for taking India's foodgrain production to a record level.

According to fourth advance estimates, the country has achieved a record 241.56 million tonnes of foodgrains production during 2010-11 crop year (July-June).

"I congratulate the country's farmers for their achievement this year... Wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds have all seen record levels of production...Today there are proposals for export of foodgrains, sugar and cotton," he said.

He assured the people worst affected by price rise that the government will soon enact a legislation for providing food security to them.

To further boost the farm production, the government would accelerate efforts during the 12th Plan (2012-17).

"We need a second Green Revolution in agriculture. We can tackle the problem of rising food prices only by increasing agriculture production and productivity. We also need to increase agriculture production to implement a food security law," the Prime Minister added.

Singh also assured farmers that the government would continue to take care of their needs, especially with regard to easy access to fertilisers, seeds and credit.

The Prime Minister sought to dispel apprehensions that there is a policy paralysis in the government affecting the reform process.

" ...we should all stay away from politics that create suspicion or apprehension amongst those connected with industry, business and investment," Singh said, adding, "Our industrialists should have the opportunity to set up new industries so that our youth can get additional avenues for productive employment."

The government has been strengthening the physical infrastructure like airports, roads and ports, he said, asserting that in the 12th Plan, investment in these sectors would be further accelerated.