People from across Rajasthan are on a 21-day protest in Jaipur to demand a law to ensure accountability of the government.
Highlights
- The 21-day protest highlights matters the government is not addressing
- This includes defaults on pension, MNREGA bills, grain delivery
- The people have also drafted a prototype of the law they want
After starting movements that brought about laws like the Right to Information and Rural Employment Guarantee, the people in Rajasthan are stirring again. This time they want accountability from the government - a demand, if met, can have far-reaching consequences.
The Rajasthan government had promised that when it came to power, it would bring about a Good Governance Bill. But government sources say the draft of that bill is yet to be readied.
Now, led by the civil society, people from every corner of the state have come to Jaipur to hold a 21-day protest - the "Accountability Yatra" -- to highlight matters the government is not addressing.
The skits sung speaks of the grievances the people bear - pending payments for pensions and MNERGA, non-delivery of foodgrain, and even the money promised for building toilets, which the government still owes them.
"I may know why I'm not getting my rations. But how do I make sure that action is taken against people who are preventing my rations from reaching me? That's why we need accountability," said Nikhil Dey of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan.
The people have also drafted their own prototype of the law, which they call the "Rajasthan Bhagedaari Jawaabdehi aur saajedhari Ankekshan bill, 2016".
States like Bihar and Maharashtra already have a services accountability bill for government servants, but it is limited to a few services only. The bill the people have proposed in Rajasthan promises to be far more comprehensive.
According to it, the new law should have a job chart in public domain, outlining the duties and powers of officials; the right to a public hearing where people can present their complaints; redressal of problems within 30 days, in absence of which there should be penal provisions against government officials.
The prototype also proposes that there be an appellate authority both at the district and the state level which looks into these grievances.
"Tell us who will do it, and if that person doesn't do it, just penalise them," said Magasaysay award winner Aruna Roy, who is one of the people leading the movement.