From: [email protected]
To:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/anna-hazare-opposes-maharashtra-government-diktat-to-strike-off-anticorruption-tag-from-ngo-names/article7354253.ece
Pune Joint Charity Commissioner had issued notices to 15 NGOs to strike off
references to the word ‘corruption’, the ‘anti’ prefix to corruption.Stalwart
anti-graft activist Anna Hazare has opposed a bizarre move by the Maharashtra
government prohibiting non-governmental organisations from using the words
‘anti-corruption’ or ‘corruption eradication’ in their names following
allegations of dubious activities on part of such NGOs.
Earlier, the Pune Joint Charity Commissioner had issued notices to 15 NGOs to
strike off references to the word ‘corruption’, the ‘anti’ prefix to corruption
and affixes signifying the weeding of corruption from their names.
According to the Charity Commissioner, there were several complaints of alleged
extortion on part of some of these organisations who used the anti-corruption
tag to pressurise bureaucrats. The notice, which intends to halt such
activities, further recommends that such NGOs rename themselves.
Mr. Hazare’s Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas (BVJAN), based in Ralegan
Siddhi, was among the NGOs slapped with such a notice.
“Changing an NGO’s name is no solution. This is unjust to those [NGOs] who have
been doing exemplary work in tackling corruption,” Mr. Hazare said, speaking
from his home in Ralegan Saiddhi in Ahmednagar district.
While some NGOs have sullied their names by indulging in shady activities, Mr.
Hazare said most had come with innovative methods in reining in corruption,
especially in areas where the government had utterly failed to do so.
“The government’s diktat that only official bodies and not NGOs are permitted
to use the ‘anti-corruption’ tag is ludicrous. The fact that corruption is rife
in every level of society today is proof enough of the failure of any
government to combat the phenomena.”
Recalling the achievements of his trust, the septuagenarian activist said that
the membership of the BVJAN was not only limited to Maharashtra, but people in
different states across the country had swollen its ranks.
Many scams were exposed due to the efforts of the BVJAN, while close to 400
corrupt officials were tracked down, Mr. Hazare pointed out.
“If the government is alarmed by the activities of such NGOs, it ought to
investigate them and scrap their registrations. Why attack those with a proven
track record?” asked the 77-year-old crusader.
Defending the notice, Shivkumar Dighe, Joint Charity Commissioner (Pune) said
that rooting out corruption was the government’s job and the business of
so-called anti-corruption NGOs.
“They [NGOs] ought to restrict themselves to social work. The State government
has enough mechanisms in place to deal with corruption,” Mr. Dighe said.
==========Please sign to fight against corruption!
Dear friends across India,In a bizarre crackdown, the Maharashtra government
just told Anna Hazare to remove the word “corruption” from his organisation’s
name! At a time when high level ministers are being accused of major
corruption, let’s take a stand for our right to speak out against it!The Pune
Joint Charity Commissioner says it’s only the government’s job to fight
corruption, no independent watchdogs are needed. That’s crazy! 91% of bribes in
India are demanded by government officials and we’re supposed to trust that
they will fight it?!Anna Hazare says he’ll challenge this ruling. Let’s join
30,000 voices with him and the other 15 groups under threat to massively
amplify their call. People power has worked before on corruption -- sign and
share now to show the government we’re not China but democratic India:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/fight_corruption_not_the_word_1b/?tFYWOabNot only
do nonprofit watchdogs do important work, they are vital organs of a
functioning democracy. A claim that it is only the government’s job to fight
corruption is laughable, and very dangerous. While corruption exists in the
nonprofit sector as well, government corruption is a very serious problem --
and corrupt officials in power have no incentive to take strong action. And
this is harming the economy-- more thana staggering 36,000 crore rupees is lost
to corruption annually!In 2014, India elected Narendra Modi with a clear
mandate for corruption-free governance. But the crony corruption scandal
unfolding over the last few weeks involving Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje only shows how deeply entrenched
corruption is in the whole system. So far the government has not even ordered
an inquiry, let alone addressing the root causes. And instead of making strong
policies to address our real problems, the government is instead going after
groups that are trying to improve the system.It’s like the classic Hindi
saying… “Ulta chor kotwal ko daante!”, or “the pot is calling the kettle
black”! Let’s get 30,000 voices of support for our rights to fight corruption
in all its forms. Sign now and share with
friends:https://secure.avaaz.org/en/fight_corruption_not_the_word_1b/?tFYWOabAnna
Hazare ignited a movement against corruption that inspired thousands to take
to the streets -- and that tidal wave of people power forced the government to
eventually pass the Lokpal bill. We still have a long way to go, but it won’t
be possible without basic rights of keeping the government in check when it
tries to crush dissent. Let’s come together again for a corruption-free
India.With hope and determination,Risalat, Emma, Ricken and the entire Avaaz
teamMore information:We Fight Corruption, Not You: Government Tells NGOs To
Remove Corruption From Their Names! (India
Times)http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/we-fight-corruption-not-you-government-tells-ngos-to-remove-corruption-from-their-names-233968.htmlAnna
Hazare’s ‘India Against Corruption’ unwilling to remove ‘corruption’ from its
title (Times of
India)http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Anna-Hazares-India-Against-Corruption-unwilling-to-remove-corruption-from-its-title/videoshow/47826386.cmsDebate:
#Lalitgate: Corruption caught red handed? (Times of
India)http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-Lalitgate-Corruption-caught-red-handed/videoshow/4477311.cmsBribery
and corruption: ground reality in India (EY
Report)http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Bribery_and_corruption:_ground_reality_in_India/$FILE/EY-FIDS-Bribery-and-corruption-ground-reality-in-India.pdfParliamentary
Panel Slams Modi government for not implementing Lokpal (First
Post)http://www.firstpost.com/india/parliament-panel-slams-modi-govt-not-implementing-lokpal-2217312.htmlBattling
India’s malaise of Corruption http://cvc.nic.in/CEO.pdf
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