Facing Anna Hazare's threat to go on an indefinite fast from August 16, the government and the Congress on Thursday hardened its stand, making it clear to activists involved in the drafting the Lokpal Bill that Parliament is the final authority in making laws.
"I do not believe that four or five persons or a single Non-Governmental Organisation can claim to be better informed and be the sole repository of all knowledge," Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni told mediapersons.
Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan also spoke in a similar vein. "While the process of consultation is already on, I want to point out that suggestions arising out of this agitation finally will have to go to cabinet and Parliament", Natarajan said when asked about Hazare's threat.
She said, "Law can be made by legislature is the view of every political party. No one has promised them (civil society representatives) that whatever they say, will become a law".
Soni said every citizen of the country enjoyed the right to air his views at appropriate fora or to his elected representative but it was up to the government to incorporate the same in Bills it plans to move in Parliament.
"What will be the nature of the law is for the Parliament to decide. Parliament is the final authority," the minister said.
Soni said the United Progressive Alliance government, in the past seven years, had taken several steps that have made every person feel empowered to exercise his rights and air his views on issues of importance.
