Anna Hazare writes to PM Modi for Lokpal and Lokayukta

Pune: Disappointed with the alleged delay of the appointment of Lokpal (anti-corruption ombudsman) at the Centre and Lokayukta in many states, social activist Anna Hazare has sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to appoint a Lokpal, to sign on all bills that would make India corruption-free and implement recommendation of the Swaminathan Commission. Mr Hazare said that he would again begin a strike in Delhi if the Centre fails to deliver its promises to curb corruption. He said he would announce the date and venue of the strike soon. Mr Hazare reminded the PM that he had promised a corruption-free India before coming to power. However PM has failed to live up to his promises and has not appointed a Lokpal and Lokayukta at many states, he said.

Mr Hazare pointed out that many BJP-ruled states do not have Lokayukta and states with other parties in power have appointed Lokayukta. As NDA government has stated that it could not appoint Lokpal as there is an opposition party in the parliament. However, Mr Hazare says that the Lokpal Act allows Lokpal committee to select a chairperson in absence of an opposition party and it is not illegal. He also pointed that the NDA government appoints CBI chiefs that also requires opinion of the opposition. Then why the PM is refraining from fulfilling his promise to make the nation corruption free by appointing Lokpal and Lokayukta.

He says  implementation of the Lokpal Bill will reduce the corruption by 50-60 per cent. The Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organization Bill 2011, Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill 2012, The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, The Public Procurement Bill 2012 and Whistle Blower Bill are waiting to be passed in the Parliament. Mr Hazare says that he has written six letters to the PM since he came to power asking the same. However he said he did not receive any reply at all.

He says that his 2011 Anti Corruption Movement received tremendous response from all age groups, genders, classes and masses, as the nation wants a corruption free country.

Hazare also underlined the poor state of farmers saying farmers suffer losses in agriculture due to droughts, anti farmer policies, no minimum support prices and so forth. And the government should implement recommendations of Swaminathan Commission that promises 150 per cent minimum support price among many solutions to farmers’ issue.

He also expressed the necessity to have an act that will give power to the Gramsabha over local water, forest and land. The Right to recall, right to reject, act for women’s security, political parties to be brought under Right to Information should also be implemented.