[Reader-list] resolution on lalit mehta

[Asit asitreds]

*Resolution*



We the delegates of the fourth review of the National Common Minimum
Programme condemn the brutal murder of Shri Lalit Mehta of Vikas Sahyog
Kendra Palaumu Jharkhand. Mr. Mehta was murdered by the contractors for
exposing the corruption and mal practices of the National rural employment
guarantee act. He was murdered on 14th May just a day before the public
hearing on NREGA he was organising at Chhatarpur.



The whole incident highlights the vested interest in the rural hinterland
the formidable contractor, landlord, politician bureaucrat nexus which has
been actively sabotaging any pro-people welfare initiative of the state. It
is to be noted that the NREGA is the much flaunted flagship programme of the
UPA which come to power on the promise of mitigating the agrarian distress
epitomised by massive farmers suicide and distress migration during the NDA
regime. The brutal murder of Lalit Mehta exposes the claims pro-people
governance and indicates the firm grip of the rural elites and contractors
to siphon off any funds meant for the welfare of the rural poor making a
mockery of the tall claims of the empowerment of grassroots institutions by
the panchayati raj institutions and people's participation through all
decision taken by the Gram Sabhas.



This house calls upon the central and Jharkhand government to institute a
CBI enquiry into Lalit Mehtas death, and trial of his murderers by a fast
track court.



Date : 23.5.2008

India International Centre

New Delhi