Team Anna on Tuesday appealed to Parliamentary Standing Committee looking into Lokpal Bill not to exclude lower bureaucracy and judiciary from the ambit of the anti-corruption ombdusman.
The reaction came amidst reports that the Committee is likely to recommend bringing Group ‘B’ officers also under the purview of Lokpal besides ensuring setting up of Lokayuktas in states under a central law.
In a statement, Team Anna said it welcomed the suggestions for providing Lokayuktas in states through the same Bill as well as bringing Group B officials within its ambit.
“However, we would appeal to the Standing Committee to reconsider their decision to keep Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ officials out. Where would a poor person, whose ration has been siphoned off, go? Almost Rs 30,000 crores worth of rations are siphoned off every year,” it said.
“And it is Group C and Group D officials who are involved in it. A postman demands ten per cent bribe to give your money order. Postman is a Group D official. Where should victim of postman’s corruption go? Anna has been concerned about the corruption of a common man,” a statement said.
Holding that corruption with regard to judges has not been included in the Judicial Accountability Bill, it said the issue is now proposed to be kept out of Lokpal Bill. “Then where should we complain about the corruption of a high Court or Supreme Court judge?” it asked.
