Sibal meets civil society leaders for ‘constructive dialogue’

April 7th, 2011 - 6:15 pm ICT by IANS  

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Hoping to find ways to bridge differences on the anti-graft Lokpal Bill, union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal Thursday met social activists Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal for a “constructive dialogue”.”We had a very constructive dialogue. We are trying to find out solutions,” Sibal told reporters here after the meeting.

“The broad parameters are generally agreed upon, the formalities not yet,” Sibal said, adding the another meeting would be held at 1.30 p.m.

Swami Agnivesh and Kejriwal are part of the movement started by veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare, who is on his third day of fast-unto-death demanding a role for civil society members in the drafting of the Lokpal (ombudsman) bill.

“We want to deal with corruption. We want to get rid of corruption. We want civil society to participate in this effort. We do not have any problem with that,” said the minister.

He added that the government would like Hazare to end his hunger strike.

“We want Anna Hazare to give up the fast we believe that the object must be that civil society and government should sit together and deal with the problem of corruption through an effective legislation.”

Swami Agnivesh also echoed the minister’s words and said: “Dialogue is going on in a positive and constructive way.”

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