Ralegan Siddhi: Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday called off his fast after a marathon
meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and two Union ministers. Hazare, 81, had started his indefinite fast on January 30 over the appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs.
After marathon talks with Fadnavis and the ministers, which stretched to over five hours, Hazare announced that he is 'satisfied' with the outcome of the discussions. Hazare held talks with Fadnavis, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, Union minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre and state water resources minister Girish Mahajan.

"Offering autonomous stature to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) at the state and centre level, tabling of Lokayukta bill in the next assembly session of Maharashtra and abiding the SC timeframe through a joint committee for Lokpal were the three demands for which I had started my agitation. I am satisfied with the assurances given to me by the government now and so am calling off my fast," Hazare told reporters on Tuesday evening. Hazare's close aide Sonpal Shastri will be one of the members of a committee which will be formed under the chairmanship of Radha Mohan Singh. It will complete its report by October this year for offering autonomous status to CACP, Fadnavis said. "I have decided to call off my fast after satisfactory talks with Fadnavis and the other ministers," Hazare said. The search committee for Lokpal is meeting on February 13 and will take further decisions as per the Supreme Court orders, Fadnavis said. On the seventh day of Hazare's fast on Tuesday, his doctor said lab tests showed a significant increase in his blood pressure and blood sugar. He has lost 5 kg weight since the fast began, the doctor said.