Raising the matter of appointment of Lokpal which has been relegated after the Parliamentary elections, former Governor of West Bengal and Bihar Gopalkrishna Gandhi said here on Thursday the government should appoint someone with integrity as the Lokpal.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Gandhian thoughts and politics’ at the University College, he said that Parliament would have to answer why the appointment of Lokpal has not become a reality.
He said that social activist Anna Hazare’s agitation brought to limelight the need for the appointment of a Lokpal. After elections to the Parliament and Delhi Assembly, the focus on the issue has waned.
Mr. Gandhi hailed the Swachh Bharat Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “wise and good step” but said that there is a need to look beyond the cleanliness of the surroundings. Mahatma Gandhiji’s vision of cleanliness was not restricted to the physical one. Mr. Gandhi said that the government should reveal what is happening to nuclear waste. “Huge amount is being spent on nuclear energy. Frankly I do not know what is happening to nuclear waste.”
He said that some of the nuclear installations were on zone III and zone IV of potential seismic hazard zones. “Is it safe to have them?” he questioned.
Mr. Gandhi said that there should be checks on illegal mining and uncontrolled use of plastic products. “High level intervention is needed to control the plastic lobby,” he added.
