'Lokpal Bill shouldn't be another Lokayukta Act'

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday said the proposed Lokpal Bill should empower the authorities to punish the corrupt, and not go the way of the “toothless” Lokayukta Act.

“With due respect to Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde, I should say that he cannot take any big step against the chief minister and even the officers indicted by him. They are suspended, but later reinstated,” Ramdev told reporters.

He said the Lokpal legislation should help any individual to file an FIR against the corrupt.
The prime minister should also be brought under its ambit, he suggested adding that it should provide for recovering unaccounted income and assets of the corrupt, irrespective of their position. Those found guilty should be punished with life imprisonment or death penalty, he said.

‘Right direction’

Ramdev, however, refused to be drawn into a controversy on the committee set up to draft the Jan Lokpal Bill, saying, “It is a long and sustained struggle against corruption. I do not want this struggle to get derailed by making some comments. I only want the committee to work in the right direction.”

On his alleged tiff with Anna Hazare, Ramdev said he always respected Hazare as an “elderly and right-thinking person”. “There is mutual trust between us. I hope the trust remains.”

He said he would launch a nationwide agitation through his Bharat Swabhiman Movement from June 1, 2011, demanding withdrawal of higher denominations of currency to check the circulation of black money.

Yoga camps in State

Bharat Swabhiman Nyas and Patanjali Yoga Peeth Haridwar will conduct free Yoga Vignan Shivirs (knowledge camps) across Karnataka from April 13 to 25.

The camps are aimed at raising awareness about health and hygiene, character development, creating a corruption-free and resurgent India and national integration.

Ramdev has so far conducted six yoga public camps in Bangalore, Hubli, Belgaum, and Hospet and trained more than 7,000 teachers in the State.