Anna’s latest: Law to make gram sabhas’ nod must for all Bills

Signalling a change of track from the Lokpal Bill, Team Anna on Thursday demanded that a Referendum Commission be constituted on the lines of the Election Commission to provide an institutional framework to people’s participation in democracy.

In his pre-recorded and edited video address at the ‘Rebuilding Republic’ discussion here, Anna Hazare said time has come to frame a law that ensures that no Bill can be passed without it being approved by gram sabhas first.

In the speech to be played at the meetings in poll-bound states too, he attacked the Centre for the fate of the Lokpal Bill and praised Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri for the passage of a strong law for the anti-corruption ombudsman.

“The Lok Sabha thinks it is above everyone. This is wrong. People have made you. So they are above you...It is the sacred temple of democracy. In such a sacred place, what has happened in Rajya Sabha in the last day (of the Winter Session) on Lokpal Bill...550 people were giving their own suggestions. Nobody has asked people. So we need another law. Assemblies and Lok Sabha think that they are above gram sabhas. But gram sabhas are above you. We need a new law which gives such a power to gram sabhas,” Hazare said in his 30-minute address.

The discussion, however, did not go as planned when some from the 200-member audience said if people power is indeed supreme, they, too, should be allowed to speak. On being denied a hearing, they walked out in protest. Another member from of the audience created a stir by asking why Hazare did not speak up against MNS chief Raj Thackeray in his home state where the politician had targeted north Indians.

Source~ The Indian Express

well said sir n keep writing n evrybdy has right to express his views
JAI HIND