Anna Hazare

Anna Hazare

The campaign against corruption started by activist Anna Hazare has found some support in the city. A group of eminent citizens will hold a demonstration here on Friday. They have also started a signature campaign to support Hazare. Vadodara Initiative (VI) that consists of businessmen and professionals has decided to take up the issue of corruption with the authorities.

The demonstration has been kept near Sardar Patel statue at Sayajigunj wherein protestors will demand a clean administration. "After 62 years of Independence, every Indian government has shown complete insensitivity and lack of political commitment in tackling corruption at all levels in the administration. We still do not have an effective system in place to check corruption or successfully nail the wrongdoers," said Tejal Amin of VI.

The Jan Lokpal Bill that aims to take the first step in this direction was presented eight times in Parliament in the last 42 years but it has still not been passed. The bill should be passed immediately and hence we are supporting Hazare," said Amit Bhatnagar, trustee, VI. VI members and trustees will hold a signature campaign near Sardar Patel statue on Friday evening and they have also requested M S University chancellor Mrunalinidevi Puar to support their initiative. "The level of corruption is astonishing in higher offices and it is affecting our country badly," Bhatnagar added.

The 72-year-old activist is on a hunger strike demanding that the government draft a new Lokpal Bill, which will give more powers to Ombudsman to check corruption. The Vadodara Chambers of Commerce and Industries (VCCI), too, has expressed solidarity with Hazare's campaign and declared that it too has joined the crusade. A group of youngsters led by businessman Rajiv Patel had also gathered at Race Course circle as a show of solidarity with Hazare.
Sources: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Anna Hazare