Ramdev pulls a fast one leaving government red-faced

The government tonight sent a written assurance to Baba Ramdev on enacting law on black money and declaring it as national asset for which a committee will be set up.

Tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai told reporters that the letter has been sent to the Yoga guru and expressed hope that he would call off the hunger strike which began in Delhi this morning.

"A letter will reach Ramdev in next 30 minutes. It has a written commitment (on the demands made by him) and a clarification on the draft given to him by the government," Sahai said.

Asked about the content of the letter, the minister said that the letter provides for a commitment on his demands.

"One issue remained and that was government will announce black money as a national asset, people guilty of corruption will be given exemplary punishment.

"One per cent of commitment was remaining and we did not want the talks to break down. Therefore we are fulfilling the commitment. We hope Ramdev will fulfill his part of commitment of ending the agitation once he the written assurance," he said.

When pointed out that Ramdev was insisting on the issue of promulgating an ordinance, he said there were no talks about it. He refused to comment on Ramdev's allegation that government has betrayed him.