Strong anti-corruption law demanded



United efforts:Right to Information activist Arvind Kejriwal, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and social activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi on Sunday at a rally against corruption and black money.

NEW DELHI: Monday, Feb 28, 2011 :
Continuing their drive against corruption, prominent social activists and religious leaders in a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil on Sunday demanded a strong anti-corruption law to deal with the menace.
The memorandum was submitted at the end of a day-long protest held at the Ramlila Grounds. The protesters then marched in a procession to Parliament Street.
Among the speakers at the protest-march were social activist Swami Agnivesh, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, eminent advocate Ram Jethmalani, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. They demanded that the Government take effective steps to bring back money stashed by Indian nationals in banks abroad.
The memorandum, under the aegis of Baba Ramdev's Bharat Swabhiman Trust, was signed among others by activist Anna Hazare, Mr. Jethmalani and former BJP leader Govindacharya. According to a Trust representative, it was signed by 30 lakh people.
Swami Agnivesh questioned why the Government was allowing a particular international bank in which alleged black money had been deposited to open its branches in the country.
Baba Ramdev alleged that Indian nationals had around Rs.400 lakh crore in black money, out of which Rs.300 lakh crore was put away in banks abroad.
Mr. Hazare said a strong Lokpal Act would act as a deterrent to corruption. He had earlier threatened to go on an indefinite fast from April 5 if the Prime Minister does not initiate action by March-end for coming out with a Bill to give Lokpal more teeth.
Mr. Hazare also demanded that the Government set up a committee, with participation from civil society, to formulate a plan to strengthen the institution of Lokpal.

Source : The Hindu