Bring companies under lokpal: CPI-M

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Sunday said it favoured a strong Lokpal Bill that fights corruption not only within the government but also in the private sector.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Sunday said it favoured a strong Lokpal Bill that fights corruption not only within the government but also in the private sector.

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CPI-M leader Brinda Karat, participating in a public debate on the proposed anti-graft law, said fighting graft in the corporate world was equally important because the private sector was "looting" national wealth and enjoyed freedom.

"We should also focus on corruption in the corporate world. We should not forget the loot by the corporate world," Karat said.

The debate was organised by social activists led by Anna Hazare, who was on a day-long fast at Jantar Mantar.

She said licences and contracts given to private companies on the basis of corruption should be cancelled and the Lokpal should have a power to do so.

"The 2G (telecom) licenses have not been cancelled. Land mining contracts in Karnataka have not been cancelled," Karat pointed out.

She said the recommendations of the parliamentary standing committee on the Lokpal bill were weak and "are equivalent to not having the lokpal at all".

"It is a weak Lokpal Bill. You are after NGOs but why leave the corporate world out," she asked.

She said the CPI-M was for the inclusion of the prime minister under the purview of the lokpal.