Lokpal Bill committee needs experts not just individuals: Anna Hazare

Against the backdrop of Baba Ramdev taking exception to inclusion of father-son duo Shanti and Prashant Bhushan in the Lokpal Bill committee, Anna Hazare today said it was important to have experts in it rather than representation of individuals.

"At present the committee needs experts who can draft a stronger bill. Who should be part of it and who should stay out are not important matters. This will be of importance at a later stage... when the Lokpal committee will be formed", he explained.

Asked why retired IPS officer and activist Kiran Bedi was not part of the committee, 73-year-old Hazare said individuals were not important and the committee needed experts at this stage.

Ramdev, who had joined the agitation, had objected to the inclusion of the Bhushans in the committee, alleging it showed nepotism. "Why is there nepotism in the committee? Why both father and son are accommodated in the committee?" Ramdev had asked.

Hazare disagreed with him, saying, "You can level any allegation against me. I am a person who follows Gandhian principles. Nothing wrong in having two members of the same family in the panel. We need experience. We need expertise".

The veteran activist broke 98-hour-long fast yesterday morning after the government issued a notification for drafting an effective Lokpal Bill.