The Indian government and civil rights activists held talks Tuesday on forming effective anti-corruption laws following nationwide protests, dpa reported. Protests have erupted across the country in support of campaigner Anna Hazare, who went on a hunger strike last week to demand the creation of a lokpal, or ombudsman, with power to investigate and prosecute all branches of government. A current bill before parliament is too weak, according to Hazare, because it excludes those serving in government and the judiciary from the proposed ombudsman's remit. The talks began soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to Hazare, 74, appealing to him to end his fast and offering to ask parliament to debate a tougher version of the legislation. Law Minister Salman Khurshid then met Hazare's associate Arvind Kejriwal to draw up plans for the discussions - the first time both sides met after the veteran activist launched his fast a week ago. Government mediator and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee held talks in his office late Tuesday with key members of Hazare's team - Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi. The talks, which covered the main issues, were inconclusive and Mukherjee had sought time till the Wednesday morning to consult the Prime Minister on the matter, Kejriwal told reporters after the meeting. -- SPA
