After his meeting with government officials on Friday evening turned out to be unsatisfactory, Baba Ramdev declared that he would continue with fast unto death from Saturday. The yoga guru will be joined by thousands of people who have poured in from all parts of the country to raise their voice against corruption.
Back at Ramlila Grounds after the meeting, Ramdev apprised his followers of the progress in talks with the government. Most of the main issues had been addressed, in part at least, though the government had not set a time frame for anything. He, however, refused to dwell upon the Lokpal Bill, saying it was a sensitive issue and he had nothing to share on it.
"The government has agreed to set up special fast-track courts at both state and central levels where cases of corruption will be heard. A decision on this will be taken within a year though the government has refused to consider death penalty and will only provide for a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the guilty," he said.
The government has also reportedly caved in on the issue of declaring illegal wealth stashed abroad as national property. However, Ramdev said he only got a verbal assurance which was not at all satisfactory. "The government has also agreed that it will permit surveillance on internet gateways to track details of fund transfer. For as many years as possible, it will make account details available online but once again, it has set no deadline for when this will be achieved," added Ramdev.
Ramdev also referred to the Lok Sewa bill that would address corruption in public service departments. The government has assured that it will be introduced in the Parliament within the next one year.
On the issue of introducing regional languages in entrance tests and teaching level in all colleges, Ramdev said that government had also almost completely agreed to the point though it had again failed to give any time frame under which it would be achieved. "The government has agreed to have entrance tests for all colleges carried out in major local languages. A committee will be set up in three months to look into the matter. But we still do not have any assurance on when the rule will be enforced," he said.
Back at Ramlila Grounds after the meeting, Ramdev apprised his followers of the progress in talks with the government. Most of the main issues had been addressed, in part at least, though the government had not set a time frame for anything. He, however, refused to dwell upon the Lokpal Bill, saying it was a sensitive issue and he had nothing to share on it.
"The government has agreed to set up special fast-track courts at both state and central levels where cases of corruption will be heard. A decision on this will be taken within a year though the government has refused to consider death penalty and will only provide for a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the guilty," he said.
The government has also reportedly caved in on the issue of declaring illegal wealth stashed abroad as national property. However, Ramdev said he only got a verbal assurance which was not at all satisfactory. "The government has also agreed that it will permit surveillance on internet gateways to track details of fund transfer. For as many years as possible, it will make account details available online but once again, it has set no deadline for when this will be achieved," added Ramdev.
Ramdev also referred to the Lok Sewa bill that would address corruption in public service departments. The government has assured that it will be introduced in the Parliament within the next one year.
On the issue of introducing regional languages in entrance tests and teaching level in all colleges, Ramdev said that government had also almost completely agreed to the point though it had again failed to give any time frame under which it would be achieved. "The government has agreed to have entrance tests for all colleges carried out in major local languages. A committee will be set up in three months to look into the matter. But we still do not have any assurance on when the rule will be enforced," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment