Stick to a format: Pranab

In what could be construed as an affirmation of the Centre's response to the agitation by social activist Anna Hazare and his supporters for a strong Lokpal Bill to deal with corruption by August 30, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said near here on Sunday that a “larger section of the society” could engage in pre-legislation consultations but only in a “disciplined” and “well-established format.”

Without specifically referring to Mr. Hazare and his supporters, he said: “If a larger section of society wants to participate in a disciplined and in a well-established format, we can indulge in that.”

“Not necessarily does pre-legislation consultation have to be confined to civil servants and the political executive.”