Legislation doesnt take place at the drop of a hat, govt tells Anna Hazare

The government today criticised civil rights activist Anna Hazare for setting August 15 as deadline for enanctment the Lokpal Bill and appeared to express doubts about meeting it.

Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs Ashwani Kumar also hit out at Hazare for resorting to "fast-to-death at the drop of a hat".

The agitation by Hazare is unjustified as the UPA government is sensitive to the issue and fighting corruption is its "core agenda", he said.

"You (Hazare) say if you (the government) don't bring a legislation (Lokpal bill) by 15th August, we would go on a fast", Kumar told reporters here in response to questions.

But he added "law making is not at will. Law making is a functioning of a process".

Indicating that law enactment is a lengthy process, he said one has to discuss the bill with stake-holders, assimilate everybody's view and also see "what the Constitution permits, laws permit".

"You cannot in the garb of being a crusader against corruption undermine the established institutions of Parliamentary democracy".

He said one has to understand that there are "competing priorities in governance".