Patna, Jan. 23: Corruption and right to information were the focal points of a meet organised by Bihar Soochna ka Adhikar Manch at Gandhi Sangrahalaya today.
The manch felicitated social welfare minister Parveen Amanullah for her victory in the Assembly elections. Amanullah is the convener of the manch and also the secretary of Hum Log Trust.
Amanullah said Bihar Soochna ka Adhikar Manch was launched in July 2007 when the word “corruption” was not used directly. “People used to refer to it but not in a broad manner as today. At present, corruption has increased a lot though we are working for four years,” she added. Amanullah appreciated having a special investigation tribunal to investigate the cases lodged against right to information (RTI) activists. The manch is about to send a proposal regarding having a tribunal.
Amanullah said: “Nobody is going to do anything. You have to stick to right to information and move ahead accordingly. If you keep on consulting the MLA with your problems, then when would he do other work?” Amanullah said panchayati raj elections were approaching and people should select a good mukhiya without seeing his caste. Vote for honest and hard-working people.” Talking of anganwadi centres, Amanullah said: “Anganwadis have no arrangement for education. What we see is a small room in which not even 40 children can breathe properly.”
She added: “We have proposals to organise Bachpan Diwas at these centres under which people would interact with these children every Saturday so they can have some outside stimulation.”
She also said: “Anganwadi centres would be asked to keep all their documents ready so that anybody can go and check them. Any person can go to the social welfare department and access information regarding right to information.”
Shiv Prakash Rai was also felicitated for getting a national award for his work. Amod Kumar conducted the programme and Wasi Ahmad, a professor, presided over the function. Ahmad said: “Amanullah’s territory has expanded and staying in the government she has to think about the people. She would be fighting against corruption.” Zafar Hasan and Srinivas Chari were present on the occasion.
S.N. Upadhyay from the manch said: “There are not even 30 per cent people who get complete information on time though it should reach the last person in remote villages too.”
