In a crusade to weed out corrupt officials, noted social activist Anna Hazare, widely acclaimed for his innovative conservation efforts that transformed the Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra into a green belt, went on an indefinite fast to protest government inaction against some corrupt forest officials in the district. Hazare returned the Padma Shree award to highlight his protest. He, however, called off his fast when the state government assured that investigations against the 17 forest officials will be completed within 4 months.
Four years ago, Hazare had levelled charges against 17 forest officials, who, he alleged, swindled the state of about Rs 6.1 million by showing afforestation programmes only on paper. An official inquiry even found evidence of their involvement, but only 3 out of the 17 were suspended. The committee set up to look into the matter is yet to initiate action against the accused. Hazare went on the hunger strike to protest the inaction. Joined by 150 activists, Hazare demanded "action and not debate".
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