Centre toughens stand on Lokpal

CHENNAI: In what is being viewed as a toughening of stand on the Lokpal Bill, the Union government on Saturday said pressure from those on the streets would be dealt with an iron hand. Talking to reporters at the Chennai airport, Union Minister of State in the PMO, V Narayanasamy, said that five people  won’t be able to derail the process.“As far as the government is concerned, they took advice from all political parties and NGOs. The Bill is going to be discussed on the 27th, 28th and 29th. Anna Hazare cannot decide whether the Bill is right or not,” Narayanasamy added.On the ongoing stand-off between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the Mullaiperiyar Dam, the minister said the centre wanted both sides to sit together and work out a solution. The PM, he said, could not force any State to solve the issue. “I request all parties (in Tamil Nadu and Kerala) to discuss the issue. Blaming the Congress party is unwarranted. The PM took all possible steps to come up with an amicable solution,” he maintained.Asked for his views on the Koodankulam protest, Narayanasamy said that the protest against nuclear power plant was not strong and that the pro-plant lobby was growing stronger.