'Jan Lokpal needed to root out corruption'

Observing that corruption had spread like cancer in the country after independence, Prof B P Mahesh Chandraguru said there is a need to have a strong Jan Lokpal Bill to root out the evil.

He was speaking at an interaction programme on Jan Lokpal organised by the department of studies in sociology at the University of Mysore here on Tuesday.

“Until now government has ignored adivasis, dalits, women and the weaker sections of the society. Corruption has continued unchecked. Investors and land owners are controlling the government,” he added.

Mentioning that politics has become a money making venture, he said successive governments have failed to remove inequality and poverty from the country even after six decades of gaining independence. Due to such inequalities, it is important for implementation of Jan Lokpal Bill, he added.

Post-liberalisation, corruption has become a way of life. When Indira Gandhi was the prime minister, she said that it was impossible to control corruption and shirked responsibility. As a reason corruption increased rampantly. On other hand, liberalisation snatched the right to live from people.

Making the country corruption-free, bringing transparency in administration are the main aims of implementing Jan Lokpal. Anna Hazare is a beacon of hope to the country in taking forward the struggle against corruption. His constant struggle has helped his village, Ralegaon Siddhi, become a model for places in the country, he added.

Retired bank manager B M Mahadevamurthy, education department retired joint director N Puttananjaiah and Prof S Yashoda were present.