Social activist Anna Hazare began a month-long State-wide tour from Shirdi today to create awareness on the need for a strong Lokayukta legislation in Maharashtra.

Mr Hazare arrived at Shirdi around 4 pm and began his tour after seeking blessings of Saibaba, an associate said.

Last month, Mr Hazare had written a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, and threatened to launch a people's movement in the State unless the government brings in a strong Lokayukta Bill to give more teeth to the State ombudsman.

“When you took over as Chief Minister, we thought you will enact strong laws to curb corruption. On the contrary, corruption has increased in the State,” Mr Hazare's letter said. In the letter dated April 12, Mr Hazare demanded that a strong Lokayukta Bill be drafted by the government with participation from civil society.

During the State-wide tour, Mr Hazare plans to educate people on the Lokayukta law and to ask them to be ready for an agitation if the government fails to bring a strong Lokayukta. The activist, who had launched a 12-day fast in Delhi for a strong ombudsman to check corruption in the country, said Lokayukta in the State should get more powers.

“The government had promised to take strong action on various issues relating to corruption in a meeting with me and activist Medha Patkar in Nagpur. A year has passed, but the government has failed to keep the promises made in the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. Government officials and ministers were also present in the meeting,” his letter said.

“As the Union government had clarified its stand on the Lokayukta Act that it was the responsibility of the respective States to pass the Bill, the onus lies on the State government,” Mr Hazare said.

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