Lok Satta Party president and legislator Jayaprakash Narayan has expressed dismay over the state governments opposing police reforms recommended by the second Administrative Reforms Commission on the ground that they encroach upon their powers and hurt their pride. In a statement here on Tuesday, he referred to reservations expressed by states at a meeting convened by Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in Delhi on Monday to discuss ARC recommendations and said it was surprising that states which fight for their rights in a federal set-up would like to deny citizens the right to impartial, fair and effective rule of law. He said states thwarted attempts for constitution of Lokayuktas in states and Lokpal at the Centre, and also failed to constitute local courts despite central funding thus violating the constitutional amendments providing for empowerment of local governments.
He said it was surprising that the states which fight for their rights with the Centre choose to deny similar rights to local governments under them.
Local governments, constitute the third tier of federalism and opposing their empowerment was opposing true federalism, he said.
He appealed to state governments, political parties and the media to ensure that the agenda of accountable and transparent governance, effective rule of law, empowerment of citizens was pursued by all stakeholders with speed and vigour.