During Congress regime, corruption had surpassed all limits, eventually leading to its ouster, he said. However, its successor, the Sena-BJP government, has attained newer heights in corruption, Hazare said at a Rotary Club function here. ``If the Congress was a graduate in corruption, the Sena-BJP combine has secured a Ph.D.,'' he quipped.

Speaking to media persons, the social worker said the people elected the BJP-Sena combine to power in 1995. However, its supporters were disillusioned by the miserable failure of the alliance to fulfill its promises, he said. The present political situation was an indication of the lack of social and political vision on part of the alliance rulers, he said.

Speaking at Rajkumar Engineering's afforestation drive, Hazare emphasised the need to executesoil conservation and watershed development to maintain eco-equilibrium.

Hazare said environment equilibrium was possible with large-scale tree plantation. He lamented that the eco-system had been totally disturbed but no-one had taken serious cognizance of the problem. ``It is the duty of every citizen to carry out soil conservation and watershed development in the interest of future generations, he said.

The crusader eulogised the tree-plantation programme undertaken by the REL, a unit of the Videocon group of Industries here.

He said soil conservation and watershed programmes with a village as a unit would create employment for the rural folk. It would reverse the exodus to urban areas, he added.

REL chief executive Prakash Baldota said his company's tree plantation programme was part of its quality month celebrations. He assured more plantations every year.

Baldota felicitated Hazare on his completing 60 years of age. Industrialist Hastimal Munot, Dr Prakash Kankaria and former municipal councilpresident Arun Jagtap were present.