PUNE: Social crusader Anna Hazare has expressed concern over the Union government's move to exclude corporate sector and class III and class IV government employees from the purview of Lokpal.
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ahead of Parliament's budget session, Hazare has reminded Singh of the promises made by the government about enacting a law incorporating citizens charter, appointing Lokayuktas on the lines of Lokpal in all states and including all government employees in the ambit of Lokpal.
Hazare has said that he has learnt that a Cabinet meeting has decided to exclude class III and class IV employees from the purview of Lokpal. "I am surprised by the development. The letter that you gave me on August 27, 2011, regarding Parliament's resolution clearly stated that the demand regarding inclusion of all government employees under the purview of Lokpal was accepted. How can the Cabinet reject what Parliament has accepted, especially as Parliament is supreme?" he asked in the letter sent on February 15.
Hazare pointed out that it was imperative to include class III and class IV employees under the Lokpal ambit because corruption by low rank officials, like gram sevaks and circle officers, affects common people the most. He said if the Cabinet was allowed to change Parliament's decision without having any authority to do so, it would put a question mark on the supremacy of Parliament. "As the head of the government, you have to decide whether the country is run by Parliament or the Cabinet," he said.
Hazare also expressed displeasure over the government's stand of leaving appointing of Lokayuktas to state governments. "There should be a uniform law for all states regarding Lokayuktas. We should not have a situation where justice will differ from state to state," he said.
Hazare also expressed concern about corporates being excluded from the purview of Lokpal. "It is unfortunate that barring the Left parties, all political parties are in favour of excluding the corporate sector when we have serious issues concerning exploitation of water, land and forest resources," he said.
Bring class III, IV employees under Lokpal: Hazare
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Bring class III, IV employees under Lokpal: Hazare
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Bring class III, IV employees under Lokpal: Hazare
