The Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, today made a fresh appeal to social activist, Mr Anna Hazare, to end his fast since Parliament was discussing the Jan Lokpal Bill.

“We request Anna Hazare to give up his fast because whole Parliament has requested him... Now the discussion is taking place. I do hope as the discussions are taking place on all issues...,” he told reporters outside his North Block office.

He said the Parliamentary Standing Committee will also take the views of MPs on the issue and Mr Hazare should end his fast considering the discussion process initiated by the Government.

“I request Anna Hazare to break his fast,” Mr Mukherjee said.

Earlier Team Anna made it clear that a mere discussion in Parliament will not serve any purpose and Mr Hazare will not call off his fast till Parliament passes a resolution that the cleared Lokpal Bill will include the three contentious points raised by them.

Mr Hazare today shot off a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, saying he that would break his fast if Parliament agrees to his three key demands but will continue his protest till the legislation is passed.

His letter also contains his team’s version of a resolution needed to be passed in Parliament, detailing their three demands — all civil servants should be brought under Lokpal, a citizen charter should be displayed at all government offices and all states should have Lokayukta.

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