Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare to go on fast unto death

New Delhi: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare said he is starting a fast unto death to press for the demand to involve civil society in formulation of the anti-graft Lokpal Bill(ombudsman). Hazare visited Rajghat this morning before proceeding to Jantar Mantar via India Gate to start the protest. Talking to reporters here, Hazare said that he was saddened when the Prime Minister rejected the demand by leading civil society members to include them and senior ministers in the joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill. 'I will fast unto death, as announced earlier as the prime minister has refused to form a joint committee with civil society members in it for the formulation of the Lokpal Bill. Even if I lose my life, I will have no regret, my life is dedicated to the nation,' Hazare said. The Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill), 2010, which awaits a select parliamentary committee's nod, provides for filing complaints of corruption against the Prime Minister, ministers and lawmakers. Hazare contended that the Lokpal Bill, in its present form, is useless and has drafted a separate Jan Lokpal bill (Public Ombudsman Bill), taking into account the views and suggestions from civil society and common people. The Magsaysay Award winner activist, along with others, will go to Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat at 9.00 a.m. Tuesday morning, after which the activists will stage a march from India Gate to the Jantar Mantar, where Hazare will begin his fast. Activists also called upon the nation to join the fast. 'I appeal to the nation to join the hunger strike, and support this anti-corruption movement' said activist Arvind Kejriwal, who along with former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde, and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan drafted the Jan Lokpal Bill, the civil society's alternate to the government drafted bill. Now a days corruption is done in a more polished way and is not visible to the naked eye anymore. Even Corruption is going under restructuring and are finding new ways of getting away with it. In this context do you think that Anna Hazare's act will be effective on our government?