Lokpal Bill must overcome limits of RTI: Anna Hazare

The anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare, on Sunday stressed the need for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill as an effective tool to tackle corruption in the country.

“The use of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, is not sufficient to tackle the serious problem. The RTI Act does not have the teeth to bite the corrupt. Hence we need a weapon like the Jan Lokpal Bill,” he told a group of about 500 Puneites at his village, Ralegan Siddhi, about 80 km from Pune.

These Puneites organised a motorcycle rally on Sunday in Pune and travelled to Hazare’s village to express solidarity with his hunger strike in New Delhi from August 16 to press for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill. The rally was organised by India Against Corruption (IAC).

According to the Pune chapter convenor of IAC, BB Somani, “Anna is determined to stage the hunger strike in Delhi.” The rallyists were welcomed by the villagers by bursting of crackers and offering flowers. “The response was truly encouraging for us. We have pledged to Anna that IAC would whole heartedly back him in his crusade,” Somani said.

The rally will be followed by a candle march on August 9 from Savarkar statue near Sarasbaug to Savarkar memorial on Karve Road. Various activities will be carried out till August 15 in various parts of the city to attract the attention of the citizens towards the cause.