Thursday, April 7, 2011

INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION

Join Anna Hazare's Fast To Bring the Jan Lokpal Bill

Anna Hazare will commence a fast unto death from April 5 2011 in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill. You can join the fight against corruption! Join Anna, and fast with him for a day, or as long as you can.

Commit your fasting in your city: Click here to see IAC city co-ordinators

Write to Prime Minister:(English)(Hindi)

Our Anti corruption system needs a change

Why is it that no one goes to jail in our country despite indulging in corruption? This is because we have completely rotten anti-corruption laws and anti-corruption agencies that it is almost impossible for the corrupt to be penalized.

Jan Lokpal Bill is the solution

Justice Santosh Hegde (former Supreme Court Judge and present Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan (Supreme Court Lawyer) and Arvind Kejriwal (activist) have together drafted a strong anti-corruption law called Jan Lokpal Bill which requires that investigations into any case should be completed within a year and the trial should get over in the next one year so that a corrupt person goes to jail within two years of complaint and his ill gotten wealth is confiscated.

Proposed Govt Lokpal Bill is an eyewash

Lokpal Bill has been introduced eight times in Parliament since 1968. All the eight versions have been very weak. Even these weak versions have not been passed so far because Lokpal Bill seeks to investigate politicians. The latest draft of Lokpal Bill prepared by the present UPA government is a complete eyewash. Rather than strengthen anti-corruption systems, it demolishes whatever exists in the name of anti-corruption systems today. It seeks to completely insulate politicians from any kind of action against them.

We have drafted a similar Bill called Jan Lokayukta Bill for the states. Presently 18 states have Lokayukta Acts. However, they are quite ineffective. We want that the existing Lokayukta Acts should be replaced with Jan Lokayukta Bills.

Downloads

Friday, March 25, 2011

Act Mr. Prime Minister

Shunglu Committee Report and inaction by Manmohan

It’s Common v/s Wealth

The high level committee constituted to probe the loot in the name of commonwealth games 2010 has submitted its second interim report. This committee was formed by the government under huge social and political pressure on the issue of vulgar exploitation of common resources and open loot of common man that the country has witnessed last year.
Commonwealth Games have become symbol of corruption in the country.
The Shunglu Committee formed by government that is termed as High Level Committee but in fact this committee was never provided with any power to probe the large scale corruption that has shocked the nation. The committee did not had power to summon officials and ministers or to ask for files and documents. Further Committee can not even prosecute or register cases against those who are found guilty.
But the scale of corruption was so visible that even without any real power or authority, this committee could easily find that all possible rules and laws are broken in organization of CWG 2010.
This committee had submitted its first report in January on host broadcasting, the report was immediately made public and is available on the website of the committee. Central government then asked the central bureau of investigation (CBI) to file criminal cases against those who were named in the report. Head of National television Doordarshan had to go after this.
But the scenario is different now, Shunglu committee has submitted its second report and clearly names Delhi Chief Minister and Lt. Governor for the financial losses. Prime Minister has asked not to make the report public and all government agencies are now actively working to cover up. This inaction raises very serious concerns.
Prime Minister had promised the nation that within 100 days of CWG 2010, the criminals of this open loot will be punished, the deadline is never met, all culprits of CWG loot are not only out in the public but also enjoying all benefits of the positions using which they exploited the nation. Be it Delhi CM Shiela Dixit or LG Tejinder Khanna, be it organizing committee head Suresh Kalmadi or Central government minister Jaipal Reddy or even DDA officials, all are smiling at the fortunes that they have looted in the name of games.
Only a few babus are arrested by CBI who could never do anything without clear directions from their bosses. Suresh Kalmadi is openly saying that if he is arrested he will name everyone who was involved, he is also telling that he dealt with only 5% of the total money that was looted and major loot was done by Delhi govt and other central government agencies.
A lot of water has flown down river yamuna since October last year, with Shiela still serving as Delhi CM, most evidences must have been destroyed by now.
This interim report by Shunglu committee should be taken seriously and Delhi Government should be sacked.
While nation need a Jan Lokbal bill that can prevent such corruption and loot in the future, CWG2010 looters should not be spared.
Time for Shiela to go.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Yamuna campaign: Marching ascetics reach Taj city

Agra, March 24 (IANS) The movement for the restoration of the Yamuna river has picked up steam as the marching ascetics and activists campaigning for it have reached the Taj city on way to Delhi.
The Braj Mandal sants and ascetics, who began the yatra from the Sangam in Allahabad March 2, have been mobilising support in the smaller towns and villages on the way. The marchers reached here Wednesday night and will reach Delhi April 15.

Bhanu Pratap Singh, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, said all sections of society are supporting the campaign inspired by Ramesh Baba of Barsana. Many NGOs and citizens groups have also extended their support.

The activists have threatened to open all the gates of the Okhla, Wazirabad and other barrages. 'Water should be allowed to flow uninterrupted and should not be held up anywhere, only the overflow or surplus water can be stored,' said Singh.

The marchers cover around 25 km daily and stop at some village for the night. A large number of women too have joined the march.

'People in Agra will give a fitting response and support the cause that has always been dear to them. Not only for the health of the humans but for conservation of monuments that fetch millions of dollars annually, the river needs to be saved,' Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society president Surendra Sharma told IANS.

D.K. Joshi, a member of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee, said: 'For too long the government agencies and corrupt officials have played with our natural assets, the streams and the water bodies. Time has come for the people to wake up before it is too late.'

'In the past three decades, close to Rs.5,000 crore have been spent in the Taj Trapezium Zone, and the results are there for everyone to see,' he said.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

YOUTH FOR JUSTICE:- Celebrating 5 years of Action

Initiated by a group of crazy young people from the lawns of Delhi School of Social Work, YFJ is completing 5 years of action on 3rd March 2011.

As a youth group, we rose against the unfair judicial pronouncement favoring the rich and the powerful by mobilizing concerned citizens and making the invisible disquiet a visible one. (The Jessica Lall verdict). Success in the above-mentioned issue furthered our involvement by our opining on the reservation bill for other backward castes in institutions of higher education.

Realizing the importance of accountability, we used the Right to Information Act as a tool to make the government more accountable to its citizens. We were the first youth group of its kind which, in collaboration with organizations like Josh, MKSS, Parivartan to aggressively popularize its concept (especially in University of Delhi where we strove to pull the youth out of its deep slumber and kill the culture of silence).

Under "Farmers and I" initiative, group has organized series of protests against insensitive attitude for authorities on the issue of farmers suicides and also stages a continuous protest at Jantar Mantar. That year government announced substantial loan waiver to farmers across country.

We are the Change:

1. First youth group to organize a protest march on 3rd march 2006 in Delhi University against the court’s verdict in Jessica Lal murder trial, this was the day when “Youth for Justice” born

2. First youth action group to organize a candle light vigil with Delhi University students on Jessica Lal case at Jantar Mantar on evening of 3rd march 2006

3. Organized first protest in Delhi University against proposed reservation in higher education on 6th April 2006, resulted in a minor clash with Police

4. Organized series of protest marches and rallies in Delhi University and at Jantar Mantar against proposed reservation in higher education

5. President of India invited “Youth for Justice” delegation on 21st may 2006 to discuss reservation row

6. Realizing the importance of accountability, we used the right to information as a tool to make the government more accountable t its citizens. “Youth for Justice” was the first youth group of its kind, which worked in collaborations with organizations like Josh, MKSS, Parivartan to aggressively popularize concept of RTI (especially in university of Delhi where we strove to pull the youth out of its deep slumber and kill the culture of silence).

7. First and only youth group of Delhi which recognized the urgency to deal with issue of Farmer Suicides and organized Joint March of youth and Farmers at Jantar Mantar

8. Youth for Justice has launched a sensitization programme “FARMERS AND I” with aim to mobilize urban population for the cause

9. First youth action group to join “Yamuna Satyagraha” under the leadership of Magsaysay Awardee Shri Rajendra Singh ji.

10. volunteers sat on satyagraha and “maun vrata” in Yamuna satyagraha

11. Only youth group which supported struggle of B.Sc. (restructured) programme students of Delhi university against the failure of university system and supported students when they decided to sit on an indefinite hunger strike in front of university gate

12. Detained several times by police while protesting for people’s cause

13. Launched "YOUTH FOR YAMUNA" - A "Y4J" initiative against LOOT and KILLING of yamuna in the name of commonwealth games on 16th sept.2007

14. First Youth Action Group to protest against killings by blue line buses in the capital city, organised a candle light protest at central park , C.P. to pay homage to 96 ppl killed by blue line buses

15. YFJ is the only youth action group in New Delhi that has raised voice against killings of innocent people in Nandigram in West Bengal and one of our action hero Sunil Prabhakar went all the way to Nandigram to take note of grassroot realities there.

16. "Youth for Justice" has carried an independent investigation on issue of deaths of labourers in games village and world came to know about this crime only through exclusive video clips provided by "youth for justice" in its investigation.

17. First group in the city that organized massive protest against loot in the name of Commonwealth Games in the capital city of Delhi since the year 2007 and in 2010 published a book "It's Common v/s Wealth" to make people and policy makers aware of the mega scam.

Our stand
As a welfare state and democracy the Indian constitution guarantees the fundamental right of every citizen to survive and with the entitlement of the dignity that should ensue with it.Making such tall claims it is indeed deplorable that we have a Vidharbh and Kalahandi for a New York alike Delhi.It is time that we dissolve these divides and pave roads to do so.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lines of battle:- No to Govt. Lokpal -Yes to Jan Lokpal

Fight against corruption has reached a turning point as a draft Jan Lokpal Bill aiming to curb corruption is ready.
Thousands came out on 30th Jan. 2011 in support of this bill across nation.

for details, please login:-
http://indiaagainstcorruption.org/anticorruptionbill.html

Following are salient features of the Jan Lokpal bill:-

1. There shall be an institution of Lokpal with ten members and headed by a Chairperson.

2. That part of CBI which deals with cases of corruption, shall be merged with Lokpal.

3. CVC and the entire internal vigilance set in various central government departments will be
merged with Lokpal.

4. Lokpal will be completely independent of the Government.

5. Lokpal shall have jurisdiction over bureaucrats, politicians and judges.

6. Lokpal shall have the powers to initiate investigations and prosecution without needing
permission from any other agency.

7. Public grievances are often linked to demands/expectations of bribery. Lokpal shall act as
appellate authority and supervisory body for grievance redressal systems in all central
government departments.

8. Lokpal shall be responsible for providing protection against physical and professional
victimization to whistleblowers.

9. Members and Chairperson in Lokpal shall be selected through a transparent and participatory
process.

10. The functioning of Lokpal shall be completely transparent to avoid it from becoming a hub of
corruption.

11. Any complaint of wrongdoing against an official of Lokpal shall be investigated and acted upon
within a month through a transparent enquiry process.
12. If charges are proved and conviction takes place, loss to the exchequer caused due to his
wrongdoing shall be recovered from all those who are convicted.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

KISAN SWARAJ YATRA- Volunteers needed

KISAN SWARAJ YATRA- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Dear friends,

We seek your urgent help in intensifying our effort in Delhi with regard to mobilisation towards the Rajghat event, which is the last event of the Kisan Swaraj Yatra going around the country and reaching Delhi on December 11th morning.

1. We need four kinds of efforts to go in immediately into the Delhi mobilisation:
a. With students in JNU and Delhi colleges - here, the pitch should be about our "anna daatas", the ones who are keeping us alive, dying and in deep distress. About how if we don't rescue them, our food is in jeopardy and how big corporations are going to push for more toxic technologies and how it will come back to us in the end. How pushing out farmers from villages will also have its own implications for our urban centres. How Gandhi dreamt of another India etc. Therefore, both as a moral imperative and in our own enlightened-self-interest, we need to support farmers and their struggle for dignified living in rural India.

b. With villages around Delhi, especially where AID and other groups work: Please urgently go and organise discussions in these villages and mobilise them into the Rajghat event. Some AID volunteers should pitch in some efforts here.

c. With NGOs in Delhi: One of you should pick up a phone and start making calls to hundreds of NGOs that are in Delhi and talk to them about the Kisan Swaraj Yatra and request their solidarity on December 11th. Keep asking for who will join and what their number is. This has to be a full-time effort in the next few days, followed up by an SMS later on around the 10th.

d. With groups in bastis in Delhi: There are some Delhi groups which in turn work with people in the bastis, on health issues, communal harmony, on gender-related issues, on education etc. - We should shortlist 6-7 such organisations and interact with the people that they work with in the bastis urgently. This is very important, I feel - because these are the people who can relate to how they have been pushed out of farming in rural India, looking for opportunities elsewhere like in the bastis of Delhi.

I HOPE EACH ONE OF YOU CAN KINDLY PITCH IN WITH ONE OR THE OTHER STRANDS OF WORK.

2. We need help with logistics, please:

a. At Ambedkar Bhawan, there is help needed in terms of overseeing the cleaning work and before that, employing some labourers for this and ensuring that there are buckets, mugs etc.

b. Ensuring that there is hot water for bath....

c. For pickup at railway stations and taking groups of people in DTC buses to their accommodation location. And bringing them to Rajghat on the 11th, etc.

HOPE THERE WOULD BE SOME VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS. IT WOULD BE IDEAL IF WE CAN START COMMUNICATING SUCH VOLUNTEERS' NAMES AND NUMBERS TO PEOPLE FROM DIFF STATES ALREADY.

May I request those of you who can take on some roles to kindly write back here and let us know?

Thanks.

Contact- Kapil Mishra, youth4justice@gmail.com, 9818066041

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Some questions for you Madam Sonia Gandhi

In Uncategorized on November 10, 2010 at 2:24 pm

Would you please answer Mam?
1. If Ashok Chavhan is removed because of corruption charges, then what message your party leaders Pranab Mukherjee and Antony were sending last evening when they were travelling with Ashok Chavan in his car while going to meet your party MLAs in Mumbai?
2. If Kalmadi is asked to resign because of loot in Commonwealth Games, then why he has been asked to resign from Congress Party post only and not from CWG organizing comittee?
3. Instead why tenure of Kalmadi as CWG organizing committee Chairman is extended for three months? Will it not give him an opportunity to wipe out evidences?
4. If you actually believe that Adrsh society scam is a serious issues then why only Ashok Chavan is asked to resign when almost all Congress Party leaders of Pradesh Congress Committee are clearly involved and got benefited?
5. Why you and your Govt. is not taking similar action against Sheela Dixit and her ministers who are involved in a equally shameful scam i.e. CWG 2010?
6. Why till date none of your family members have spoken anything against rampant corruption in UPA Govt. that includes 2G, CWG, Adarsh society, Food Grain etc?
7. Why actions against all these individuals like Kalmadi and Ashok Chavans are being taken at Party level only and Government agencies who are actually responsible for actions are not doing anything at all? Do you want to show that Congress Party is bigger than Government and Nation for that matter?
8. Please explain why we should believe that you and your family is not directly involved and benefited from all these scams considering the fact that you are mum and reluctant to take any concrete action whatsoever on any of these issues?