Journalism of Courage
The National Campaign for Peoples Right to Information (NCPRI) on Tuesday said bringing all government employees,including those in Group C,under the direct control of Lokpal would require setting up of Lokpal thanas in addition to the police stations. It warned that these alternative police stations could turn new dens of corruption.
If the Lokpal comes into being the way it is being proposed then it will have absolute powers. It would be more powerful than all the other present institutions. That is why we have proposed that it should be disaggregated into four different institutions, said Roy.
NCPRI has proposed that cases involving corruption by Group C employees should first go to the local police station and if the complainant is not satisfied,he can appeal to the office of Lokpal.
We agree with bringing 2.5 lakh government employees belonging to Group A and B under direct control of Lokpal. But if we also bring 57.5 lakh employees of Group C under the direct control of Lokpal then we will have to establish a second thana of Lokpal at every place and probably a third for Lokayukta. Can we guarantee that these places wont become the new nests of corruption,said NCPRI working committee member Nikhil Dey.
Roy said that people should demand an extension of the Parliament session if the Lokpal Bill is not passed till December 22.
Though we havent yet decided the mode of protest,NCPRI would launch an agitation if the Bill is not passed in the current session of the Parliament, said Roy.
When asked about the extension sought by Parliamentary Standing Committee to submit the draft,she said the seven-day extension is not a long time for such an important Bill.
Its prerogative of the committee to seek an extension. If they have got some new information and they need more time to deliberate on it then its justified. But if they submit a weak draft then we always have an option of agitation, said Roy.
