know anna hazare and movement against crruption....

Who is Anna Hazare?
Kisan Baburao Hazare, affectionately known as Anna, is a social activist who has been crusading against corruption since 1991. The village of Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, has turned self-sufficient by his efforts. Hazare is the recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Vibushan awards and has resorted to hunger strike eight times in his public life as a means of protest.

What is the Lokpal bill?
The Jan Lokpal bill seeks to create an ombudsman or an independent body (called the Jan Lokpal) that would have punitive powers over corrupt bureaucrats and politicians without government interference or permission. The controversial bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha in 1969. Since then, similar bills were brought up eight more times in the House but were never tabled.

Why the agitation now?

According to government officials, the activists have demanded that their draft of the Lokpal bill should be accepted without any changes, which the government says is not possible. Activists have protested that the bill proposed by the government is toothless. Some of the key issues on which both parties have not been able to find any middle ground include making the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) accountable and the powers of the Jan Lokpal.

Who is involved?
Hazare has been joined by other activists including Swami Agnivesh, retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, who are demanding that there should be greater public representation in the body that is drafting the bill.

Has the ombudsman model worked anywhere else?

Yes. The model has been adopted in several countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden (where the term originated), Canada, Denmark, Portugal, Spain and New Zealand, among others

What does it mean for you?
With the establishment of a Jan Lokpal, the common man would be empowered to seek punitive action against any government official or body guilty of corruption. The Jan Lokpal would accept complaints based on sufficient reason, initiate an investigation against the mentioned party and take necessary action if guilt was proved. The Lokpal would work independently, and would not be subject to government pressure.