India's government calls cross-party meeting on corruption

India's government called today for political parties to reach consensus on drafting anti-corruption legislation, as an activist leading anti-corruption protests entered the second week of his hunger strike. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government scheduled an all-party meeting for tomorrow to discuss details of setting up an anti-corruption watchdog. The move follows a week of protests drawing tens of thousands chanting support for activist Anna Hazare as he vows to fast indefinitely until politicians create an ombudsman with authority over the judiciary and prime minister's office. Hazare has offered his own draft bill, saying the government's version tabled this month in parliament is too weak - The Independent

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