Lokpal would have prevented 'Rafale scam': Anna Hazare
TNN | Jan 22, 2019, 04:46 ISTHighlights
- Anna Hazare announced an indefinite hunger strike from January 30 over his unmet demands for farmers and implementation of the Lokpal
- He added that the Rafale deal should be probed by the Lokpal
- He also slammed the Centre for not implementing the anti-corruption law despite an order of the Supreme Court
AP photoNEW DELHI: The "Rafale scam" would not have happened if the Lokpal was in place, social activist Anna Hazare said on Monday, adding that it was a matter of concern that Reliance Defence was given offset contracts for the multi-crore defence deal even though it had no track record of manufacturing aircrafts.
He also announced an indefinite hunger strike from January 30 over his unmet demands for farmers and implementation of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
"If Lokpal had been there, a scam like Rafale would not have happened. I have plenty of papers on Rafale and I will hold a separate press conference after studying it for two days. One thing I do not understand is how a company formed a month before the deal was made a partner in it," Hazare said.
He added that the Rafale deal should be probed by the Lokpal. He also slammed the Centre for not implementing the anti-corruption law despite an order of the Supreme Court, saying he felt the country was in "danger" of slipping towards "autocracy".
"Not implementing the order of a constitutional body moves the country from democracy to autocracy. This government is on the same course. What kind of a government is this which does not obey the SC order. Is it a government, or some bania ki dukan (provisional store)?" he said.
The anti-graft campaigner added, "In the past, the government said in writing that they will implement Lokpal law and provide pensions and MSP to farmers under the Swaminathan committee report model. But they did nothing. Now, I will not accept false assurances any more and continue my hunger strike till there is life left in my body."
Hazare has tied up with Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh to press for a total farm loan waiver, implementation of the Swaminathan committee report, and declaration of MSP for fruits, vegetables and milk. Core committee member of RKM Shiv Kumar Kakka said farmers' organisations in 15 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, have backed Hazare's hunger strike.
He also announced an indefinite hunger strike from January 30 over his unmet demands for farmers and implementation of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
"If Lokpal had been there, a scam like Rafale would not have happened. I have plenty of papers on Rafale and I will hold a separate press conference after studying it for two days. One thing I do not understand is how a company formed a month before the deal was made a partner in it," Hazare said.
He added that the Rafale deal should be probed by the Lokpal. He also slammed the Centre for not implementing the anti-corruption law despite an order of the Supreme Court, saying he felt the country was in "danger" of slipping towards "autocracy".
"Not implementing the order of a constitutional body moves the country from democracy to autocracy. This government is on the same course. What kind of a government is this which does not obey the SC order. Is it a government, or some bania ki dukan (provisional store)?" he said.
The anti-graft campaigner added, "In the past, the government said in writing that they will implement Lokpal law and provide pensions and MSP to farmers under the Swaminathan committee report model. But they did nothing. Now, I will not accept false assurances any more and continue my hunger strike till there is life left in my body."
Hazare has tied up with Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh to press for a total farm loan waiver, implementation of the Swaminathan committee report, and declaration of MSP for fruits, vegetables and milk. Core committee member of RKM Shiv Kumar Kakka said farmers' organisations in 15 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, have backed Hazare's hunger strike.
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