Anna insists he will only end his strike when the government presents a detailed plan to implement his demands.
New Delhi: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will take a call Thursday on ending his latest indefinite hunger strike in the capital, organisers said.
The central government has initiated talks with Anna, who has been fasting at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi since 23 March demanding implementation of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, farmers’ issues and electoral reforms.
Organisers said that although the crowd has been thin so far they have planned a show of strength on Thursday and expect about 15,000-20,000 people to show up. The hunger strike could also be called off on that day if Anna is satisfied with the assurances given by the government, they said.
The Centre Monday reached out to Hazare, with its emissary and Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan assuring the social activist that most of his “demands will be taken care of”, PTI reported.
Anna, however, has dug in his heels. He insists he will end his strike only after the government presents a detailed plan with time frames for the implementation of his demands.
The government has agreed to come back to Anna with a concrete plan to implement his list of demands. Mahajan, who is minister for water resources and medical education in Maharashtra, has said that most of Anna’s demands can be met.
ThePrint takes a close look at the demands Team Anna has made.
Farmers’ issues
- All farmers above the age of 60 who are solely dependent on farming as a source of income should get Rs 5,000 per month as pension.
- The recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which recommends ways to alleviate farmers’ distress, should be implemented immediately.
- The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) should be granted the status of a constitutional body with full autonomy.
- The maximum retail price (MRP) for every agricultural product based on expenditure must be raised by 50 per cent.
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act
- The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act should be implemented, and the Lokpal – anti-corruption ombudsman – should be appointed.
- Amendments to Section 44 of the Act, which makes it compulsory for public servants to declare their family members’ assets along with theirs, should be scrapped.
- Lokayuktas should be appointed in all states.
Electoral reforms
- Citizens should have the right to recall their elected representatives if they think the representative is not performing his/her duties.
- None of the Above (NOTA) should be extended to the Right to Reject, which will invalidate an election result if the majority of voters choose NOTA.
- Colour photographs of the candidates should be printed on ballot papers as election symbols. Ballot papers should be used to cast votes instead of EVMs.
- Totaliser machines should be used to count votes.