Fast venue too expensive, may move court: Team Anna

"The government has failed to provide a strong Lokpal Bill. Hence Shri Anna Hazare and IAC have decided to go on Andolan from the 27th across India. AnnaJi will fast for 3 days in Mumbai, 27th, 28th and 29th December. On 30th He has announced a Jail Bharo for 3 days," says a India Against Corruption release.

According to IAC Mumbai they have received permission from MMRDA for securing a 30,000 square meter ground. The press release further claims that IAC team is fully ready to secure all permissions and make all preparations required for the agitation.

The cost of using the ground for 3 days of the andolan, and for one day each before and after for the arrangements, comes to Rs1,026,000. With service tax it is Rs.1,131,678. Over and above all this is a deposit of Rs.769,500. All this is immediately payable. MMRDA policy does not allow for any concession.

IAC however claims that Hazare has made it clear that he is not ready to bear the cost since it is a public movement meant 'for and by the citizens, irrespective of who offers to pay it. IAC also claims that a number of supporters have come forth offering to pay the costs. According to Anna Hazare, IAC says, "it is our constitutional right to protest and the government must accommodate us."

IAC has appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to waive off or reduce the charges at MMRDA citing examples of Azad Maidan which is provided free of cost, and Ram Lila Maidan which has a token charge of Rs 5,000 a day.

IAC members claim that they will wait for a few days for the CM's response. IAC is also considering moving the court to secure their right to protest and will take a decision on that in a few days. The IAC is now considering going back to the Mumbai police and secure Azad Maidan for the purpose.