Hazare to go on Maharashtra tour for strong Lokayukta

Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra), April 17 (IANS) Anna Hazare will from May 1 start his month-long tour in the state to spread awareness about a strong Lokayukta bill, an aide said here Tuesday.

'Annaji is going tour entire Maharashtra starting on Maharashtra Day which falls on May 1 to spread awareness about a strong and effective Lokayukta bill,' Hazare's associate Anil Sharma told IANS.

'He will start from Shirdi in Ahmednagar district from May 1. His tour will culminate June 6. We are still finalising his schedule,' he added.

Hazare had, on April 12, written to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, urging him to initiate steps to table a strong Lokayukta bill in the legislature.

The state-wide tour is aimed at educating the common people about the Lokayukta law and to urge them to be ready for an agitation if the government failed to bring a strong Lokayukta, the letter said.

The draft of the Lokayukta bill should not be prepared by the government only and there should be participation of civil society also, Hazare said in the letter.