Madhya Pradesh activists join hands to raise citizens' issues, fight corruption

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: Activists who are working in different sectors in Madhya Pradesh have come together to form a group that will take up citizens' issues.

The forum, Vichar Madhya Pradesh', includes activists, Vyapam whistleblowers, retired officials and citizens who are worried that the real issues are being sidelined and the focus is not on health, education and social sector.

"Individuals are doing their bit at different levels but when people come together it will make our fight stronger. We will try to take issues to logical conclusion", said former legislator Paras Saklecha, who was present in the press conference in Bhopal on Sunday.

Saklecha said that the focus will be on agriculture, health, malnutrition and releated issues apart from corruption in examinations. "We will also take up the issue of illegal mining of sand from Narmada", he said.

Also, the forum intends to run awareness campaigns, question government and hold seminars & events. The group members say that it is a non-political forum. With budget session on, it will keep eye on how much government earmarks for sectors like health, education and women, apart from tracking that money is not diverted from key departments.

From February 27, 'Jawab Do, Hisab Do' campaign will be run in which government will be asked to be accountable about its expenditure and citizens will be made aware in this regard.

Those who are part of the forum include Vyapam whistleblowers Anand Rai and Prashant Pandey, social activists Akshay Hunka, Shailendra Sial, Santosh Dwivedi, Vijay Wate, Sanjay Nagaich, Rajkumar Singh amongst others.