Odisha: Prashant Bhushan appeals political parties to take note of people’s agenda

BHUBANESWAR: Keeping the upcoming elections in mind, lawyer Prashant Bhushan here on Saturday appealed political parties and their candidates to take note of people’s agenda for necessary reforms in health and education sector, right to employment and pension and other issues.

Under the aegis of ‘Reclaiming the Republic’, a forum of a group of intellectuals, Bhushan told media here about their 11 major points of the people’s agenda. These are- public accountability and participation, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, reforming anti-democratic legislations and police reforms, media reforms, employment and food and social security, health reforms, education, agriculture, environment and inclusion of, and justice for, vulnerable populations.

The members of the Reclaiming the Republic said the political parties and candidates should take these reforms and welfare measures as major promises if they get elected to power. These 11-points will immensely help the citizens of the country.

Elaborating the points, Bhushan said attack on democratic setups and independent institutions should be stopped in the country. “The time has come to undo the regressive amendments made to the Prevention of Corruption Act, set up Lokpal in a transparent manner, operationalize the Whistle Blowers Protection Act and enact the Grievance Redressal Bill,” he added.

He said judiciary is not accessible to a majority of the people who cannot afford lawyers. Cases take decades to be decided. “Judicial reform is needed in the country to speed up the trials of cases and make judiciary more independent,” he added.

He also discussed about electoral reforms to reduce the influence of money power. “Employment guarantee by providing 150 days of work per year through MGNREGA. We also advocate for decent pension to elderly people and persons with disabilities. The parties should promise the people to provide them affordable and accessible health care and quality education to all children of the country,” he added.

Anjali Bhardwaj, national convener, NCPRI (National Campaign for People's Right to Information), who is also member of the Reclaiming the Republic said they have sent the agenda to all parties to take not of these agenda prepared by citizens of the country.

Prafulla Samantara, activist, said total prohibition in Odisha should be included in the people’s agenda. NCPIR co-convener Pradip Pradhan said they will send the agenda to all major parties in the state to take note of the agenda.