Graft needs to be rooted out at grassroots level: LSP chief

Lok Satta Party president Jayaprakash Narayan on Saturday warned people against missing the wood for the trees by focusing their entire attention on the constitution of a strong and independent Lokpal at the national level.

The people who are demanding freedom from corruption should appreciate that the Union Government accounts for only 15 percent of governance, whereas States and local governments account for 85 percent of governance and corruption.

Taking part in an ‘India against Corruption’ rally in Chennai, Dr Narayan said that India could make a real dent in corruption if strong and independent Lokayuktas at the State level and Ombudsmen at the district level are instituted with the same powers, responsibilities as the Lokpal at the national level.

With Government of India ratifying the United Nations Convention against Corruption, it is entitled to enact a Lokpal law applicable to the entire country providing for constitution of Lokayuktas and ombudsmen, along with the Lokpal.

The LSP chief said that more than six decades India’s independence, police continue to be captive in the hands of those in power. It is time the criminal investigation wings of the police and the vigilance commissions are brought under the purview of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas to restore the rule of law. Chief Ministers should be brought under the purview of the Lokpal.

He said that the loot, plunder, and goonda (LPG) raj could be buried six fathoms deep if the Governments at the Center and in States jail at least 100 top criminals in both politics and bureaucracy and confiscate their properties every year. “Let us reclaim the Republic of our dreams with concerted efforts.”