INDIA'S NORTHERN IN TOUCH WITH ANNA HAZARE AIDES OVER OMBUDSMAN BILL

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

DURATION: 1.57

SOURCE: ANI

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India's northern state chief in touch with aides of Hazare over anti-graft bill.

Refuting media reports, the chief of India's northern Himachal Pradesh state, Prem Kumar Dhumal, says the government is in touch with the aides of veteran social activist Anna Hazare through e-mail as they formulate the Lokayukta (provincial ombudsman) Bill.

SHOWS:

SHIMLA, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA (APRIL 02, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) CHIEF OF INDIA'S NORTHERN HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE, PREM KUMAR DHUMAL, SAYING:"We have considered what (suggestions) they (Team Anna) had given. We tried to incorporate it in the bill, which was drafted by our officers. We had promised to consult the Lokayukta (provincial ombudsman) and Team Anna before we finally approve it. As per my information, they (Team Anna) have been e-mailed and they (government officials) are awaiting (their response). Let us wait for their response. They could reject it, accept it and also suggest improvement."

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) CHIEF OF INDIA'S NORTHERN HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE, PREM KUMAR DHUMAL, SAYING: "The bill, which was passed by Uttarakhand, has not been approved by the President. Unless the president signs the bill, it cannot become an act even if we approve it or Team Anna approves it. We have already passed the bill for confiscation of the property, if somebody has acquired property by corrupt means, we passed it last year but it is awaiting President's consent."

3. DHUMAL COMING OUT OF A BUILDING

4. CHIEF OF INDIA'S NORTHERN HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE STANDING

5. DHUMAL SPEAKING

6. DHUMAL GETTING INTO VEHICLE

7. VEHICLE LEAVING

STORY: Refuting media reports, the chief of India's northern Himachal Pradesh state, Prem Kumar Dhumal, on Monday (April 02) said the government was in touch with aides of veteran social activist Anna Hazare through e-mail as they draft the Lokayukta (provincial ombudsman) Bill through e-mail.

A section of media reported the Himachal Pradesh government had cancelled a meeting with Arvind Kejriwal, a key member of Team Anna, in New Delhi after he termed the draft very weak and ineffective.

Dhumal said that the government had asked Kejriwal to send in writing the amendments, which were proposed by them.

The state chief said that the suggestions of team and the Lokayukta (provincial ombudsman) would be incorporated in the final draft.

"We have considered what (suggestions) they (Team Anna) had given. We tried to incorporate it in the bill, which was drafted by our officers. We had promised to consult the Lokayukta (provincial ombudsman) and Team Anna before we finally approve it. As per my information, they (Team Anna) have been e-mailed and they (government officials) are awaiting (their response). Let us wait for their response. They could reject it, accept it and also suggest improvement," Dhumal said in provincial capital Shimla.

The Himachal Pradesh state chief said that the confiscation of the property bill, which was passed last year, was still awaiting President's consent.

"The bill, which was passed by Uttarakhand, has not been approved by the President. Unless the president signs the bill, it cannot become an act even if we approve it or Team Anna approves it. We have already passed the bill for confiscation of the property, if somebody has acquired property by corrupt means, we passed it last year but it is awaiting President's consent," added Dhumal.

Himachal Pradesh has drafted Lokayukta bill 2012, to give more teeth to the anti-graft body. Now it will have two more members besides an independent investigating agency.