Anna Hazare's movement figures in ADB meet

HANOI: Anna Hazare's movement for a tough legislation to check corruption in India today figured at an the Asian Development Bank meeting where Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee admitted the government came under the pressure of the civil society.

"(Our) Government took quick action as a result of pressure built by civil society as any government which is responsible and responsive cannot ignore this fact," Mukherjee said in response to a question at Governors' Seminar, part of the ADB's official agenda for its annual meeting here.

The Finance Minister said efforts of Hazare and other members of the civil society has brought to focus the important issue.

"One social activist Anna Hazare, along with the efforts of the others, have brought to focus one important aspect of legislation which has been pending for long. This will deal with corruption in high places," he said.

Hazare, 73 year old Gandhian from a Maharashtra village, along with his supporters went on a 98-hour long hunger strike in New Delhi in April demanding a legislation for setting up of Lok Pal (Ombudsman) to deal with corruption.

Following the pressure, the Government has set up a joint committee comprising senior ministers and representatives of the civil society, including Hazare, to draft the legislation.

Mukherjee said with participation of civil society in law making, "we are adding a new dimension in our multi-party democratic system".

At a session moderated by well known BBC presenter Nik Gowing, Mukherjee said "There should be sufficient flexibility in functioning of legislation where views of others can be adequately reflected".

The Finance Minister, who is member of the Lok Pal Bill drafting committee, said "various aspects of government functioning should be transparent, accountable and must be corruption free. We are trying to introduce Lok Pal Bill".