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Patna, Aug. 27: Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) on Saturday fully supported social activist Anna Hazare’s campaign for a stronger Lokpal (ombudsman) but distanced itself from bringing judiciary under the ambit of ombudsman saying corruption in judiciary be dealt under a separate law.

“We are fully supporting Anna Hazare’s agitation for a stronger Lokpal bringing Prime Minister under its purview. But the judiciary should not be brought under the anti-corruption watchdog mechanism of Lokpal. Our party’s stand is clear that corruption in judiciary be dealt strongly through the establishment of national judicial commission,” state secretary Vijaykant Thakur told reporters here at the party’s state headquarters.

At least Hazare has brought the issue of corruption on the centrestage of debate, which is certainly a laudable effort, he added.

Thakur said the central government did not take any action to check corruption unless and until the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) made severe indictment against the government or its ministers.

Criticising the Nitish-led NDA government for being allegedly involved in irregularities of several welfare schemes such as Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), flood relief work and others, the leader announced that the party would organise a statewide protest and demonstrations on September 2 against the state government’s alleged involvement in corruption.

The party would hold protest and demonstrations at the block and district headquarters against widespread irregularities in IAY, preparation of below poverty line (BPL) families, deteriorating law and order situation, where murders and rapes have become the order of the day, the leader said.

There has been huge anomalies in drawing up the waiting list of IAY beneficiaries which is not possible without involvement of district magistrates and deputy development commissioners and hence, the matter be probed by an independent agency.

Citing the example of Aurangabad wherein a family of five committed suicide after being duped of IAY funds by a middleman, Thakur said no action was taken in this regard by the state government so that such incident is not repeated in future.

Thakur said the local police are shielding the former village head of Israel Khurd panchayat (Madhepura), Arvind Yadav, who killed party leader Yogendra Sahu on August 20 last and threw his body into a river. Sahu achieved martyrdom in exposing the corruption in three-tier panchayati raj institutions.

Nitish plea

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today appealed to Anna Hazare to end his fast, saying he too wanted a strong Lokpal Bill. The chief minister, however, preferred not to deliberate on the three specific demands that the Anna team has put forth.

“The solution to the impasse should come out as Parliament is discussing the issue. The NDA leaders are putting their point of view,” Nitish said, adding: “I had strongly opposed the arrest of Hazare.”

“We all want a strong Lokpal bill. The lokayukt is already in existence in the state. We will further strengthen the Lokayukt and bring the chief minister under its preview,” Nitish said.

He said the state government had already implemented the Right to Service Act, which is a strong weapon against corruption. The state had also formulated the law to confiscate illegally begotten property.