Anna Hazare ends fast, says has given government time till August to come good on assurance

Anna Hazare today ended his six-day fast after the Central government said his demands were accepted. While ending his fast at Ramlila Maidan, he said he has been assured by the government that appointments of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states would be made soon.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minster of State for Agriculture Gajendra Shekhawat conveyed him messages of Central government.

Hazare said that he has given the government six months time to come good on its assurance and warned that his protest will again begin in September if the demands were not met.

The 80-year-old anti-corruption activist's demands include appointment of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states, and giving better prices to the farmers for their yield.

"They (government) have assured us that they will make the appointments as soon as possible. I will see till August and we will begin again in September. It should be done within a time frame. ((Though Maharashtra) Chief Minister (Devendra) Fadnavis has said that it will not even take six months, we will see," Hazare said.

"Sarkar aur janta alag nahi hoti...sarkar ka kaam hai janta ki bhalai, desh ki bhalai...aese andolan ki naubat nahi aani chahiye (the government and the public are not separate. The government's job is to do what is good for the people and the country. Things should not come to such a pass that protests are needed)," he said.

Hazare lost over five kg weight during the fast, his aide Datta Awari had claimed earlier.