Besides the terms of reference, the notification listed names of those on the 10-member to be headed by Senior Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Other members include Law Minister Veerappa Moily, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, Home Minister P.Chidambaram and Water Resources Minister Salman Khurshid. Besides Hazare himself, those representing the civil society in the joint committee will be eminent lawyers Shanti Bhushan, Prasant Bhushan, retired Supreme Court Judge Santosh Hegde and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal. Shanti Bhushan will be the co-Chairman.
Ending his fast after offering water to people sitting with him on the hunger strike Anna Hazare told people gathered at Jantar Mantar that the fight against the corruption will continue and this is only a beginning. He termed it a victory for the entire nation.
Welcoming the development the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the joining of hands of civil society and the government on the Lokpal Bill issue is a step that augurs well for democracy. In a statement in New Delhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh said the government intends to introduce the historic legislation in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Describing corruption a scourge that confronts the nation, the Prime Minister said, the interaction between the government and the representatives of Anna Hazare was productive. He hoped that process to prepare this legislation will move forward in a constructive mode so that after consulting wide spectrum of stake holders, the bill is placed before the Cabinet for introduction during the Monsoon Session.
Finance Minster Pranab Mukherjee has expressed confidence that a satisfactory and amicable solution on Lok Pal issue is possible.
Pranab Mukerjee said the UPA government had acted expeditiously whenever concrete evidence was found in scams and listed the actions initiated in the 2G, CWG and Adarsh scams. BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad called it a victory of civil society.
Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered at the Historical India Gate this evening in the to celebrate the victory of civil society on Lokpal Bill issue. Shouting slogans hailing Anna Hazare, people converged and held candle light vigil .Chanting Vande Mataram’ and waving tricolor, they took out a procession near the landmark.