Structural changes needed to curb corruption: Anna Hazare

Mysore, Sep 24 (UNI) Instead of filing odd cases of corruption against officials, a structural change should be brought about to curb the menace of corruption seriously affecting society, Magsaysay Award Winner Anna Hazare said today.

Speaking on 'public service and honesty' on the second day of a conference of Karnataka Legislators at Suttur, near here, he said to curb corruption at grassroots level, grama sabhas should be used as a power tool like Legislature and Parliament.

''A panchayat should give wide powers to punish the corrupt and have a major say in the tenders allotted to carry out works in the respective places.

It should also have powers to suspend government staff, including panchayat secretary, if they indulged in graft,'' he said.

Mr Hazare said the elected representatives should visit villages regularly to understand the problems of the rural people.

Listing the qualities of a good leader, he said that only those with clean character, conduct, thoughts and the attitude of sacrifice could become leaders. They should be prepared to tolerate insults and humiliation, he said.

He asked the legislators to follow the Maharashtra model to curb corruption in administration.

It had succeeded to a large extent through strict implementation of Transparency Act and Right to Information Act,he claimed.

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