Strong watchdog institutions in a weak democracy make for a tall order.
The Lokpal Bill failed to become law in 2011. The Lok Sabha passed it after some acrimony, but the Rajya Sabha did not even vote on it. Three views emerged during the debate inside and outside Parliament. First, it is a weak Bill not worth passing in its present form. Secondly, it is better to have some sort of Lokpal even if it is not what it ought to be. Lastly, the Bill would create a monstrous institution that will undermine Indian democracy, especially as it would affect the functioning of legislators and the Prime Minister.
Many parliamentarians (publicly and/or privately) understandably supported the third view, given that either they themselves or some of their party colleagues face charges of corruption. They argue that Indian democracy is one of the best in the world: so why disturb it by creating a new institution that would have powers over the people's representatives. While this argument has some merit, perhaps their real worry relates to the possible truncation of their capacity to wheel and deal. Do they not see that the public is angry with the politicians because it believes they undermine democracy? A Chief Minister resigns over corruption charges, but installs his wife as Chief Minister. Many who are accused of corruption have become Chief Ministers or Ministers. Politicians often make public statements, only to deny them later, showing utter disregard for public opinion. The public has reacted by increasingly becoming contemptuous of them.
The middle path
The middle position prevailed in the Lok Sabha but not in the Rajya Sabha. The argument is that it is better to have some kind of Lokpal than none. A middle path is favoured over extreme positions. However, can the position midway between two incorrect positions be automatically considered correct, or even that which is midway between an incorrect and a correct position be a correct one? It was argued, for instance, that even if the Central Bureau of Investigation remains under government control it may be granted more autonomy. The moot question is whether such a CBI can be effective.
Some people suggest that the absence of constitutional status would weaken the Lokpal. It is true that constitutional status rather than statutory status is better. But how would that by itself make the Lokpal effective? It is argued that a government that is unhappy with a Lokpal can remove the body, as happened in the case of the Punjab and Haryana Lokayukta, or have the Bill modified through a simple majority in Parliament. However, in today's environment this would be difficult since anti-corruption movements are stronger than earlier. The moot question is: how would constitutional status help curb corruption if the Lokpal itself is weak because of the inadequate provisions in the Bill? India has several constitutional authorities, such as the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Central Vigilance Commissioner, to check malpractices. Yet, illegality has only grown.
Election Commission's efforts
Is it the case that because the Election Commission is a constitutional body it is successful? Elections to five States have been announced. In this season to fight corruption, the Commission has announced steps to reduce the role of black money in elections. Income tax officers will be posted to monitor expenditure, bank accounts will have to be opened by candidates to route funds, and so on. These seem timely since much black money is used in elections, resulting in the forging of ties between politicians and the corrupt. Most candidates spend way above the election expenditure limit since they buy votes, hire workers, travel, organise meetings, and so on. The politicians accepting funds know that a quid pro quo is involved. There are also the wealthy fighting elections using their own unaccounted funds. They pay off the party leadership to get nominations. They may not be obliged to others but their motive is not selfless service, rather the furthering of their business interests.
Election Commissions have tried to curb the role of black money in elections, but the politicians have proved cleverer and circumvented it all. T.N. Seshan as Chief Election Commissioner cracked the whip, but many politicians have said in private that he only succeeded in driving spending underground. There are reports of large cash movements during election-time. It is good that this would be monitored, but will that be effective? One election organiser of a candidate in the last parliamentary elections admitted that money came in sacks. Apparently, counting machines were installed in safe houses where cash was counted and distributed.
In the last two decades, no Election Commissioner has been accused of being corrupt, though there have been accusations of bias. Yet, the Commission has not been successful in checking malpractices that result in the compromised getting elected — who then claim legitimacy and propagate corruption with impunity. Instances of booth-capturing have declined, but new forms of grabbing votes have emerged. There are election expenditure limits but these are hardly kept. Parties and candidates are supposed to get their accounts audited, but how can unrecorded transactions be audited?
The failure of a constitutional body like the Election Commission to check the growing scale of corrupt practices has important lessons for the reform of the existing watchdog institutions and the Lokpal. India has a multitude of watchdog institutions, constitutional and statutory. What is their experience?
The CAG audits government departments to track malpractices, but those in power have found ways to get around it. Intelligence agencies (the Intelligence Bureau, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and so on) keep tabs on important people and their wheeling and dealing and hold vast amounts of information, but illegality has only grown. There are the CVC, the CBI and various police agencies. Government departments have their vigilance wings. There are agencies to protect the environment, but the powerful violate environmental laws with impunity. There are regulatory authorities (such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to check private business activity, but they could not prevent the 2G scam or insider trading in the stock markets. The Reserve Bank of India regulates financial institutions, but it has been found wanting, as in the Harshad Mehta scam, the failure of cooperative banks, and so on.
The Information Commission oversees the Right to Information. It has shown some success, but increasingly the whistle-blowers are being eliminated and its success has remained limited to the highly literate. The media have exposed innumerable cases of corruption, but now sections of them are entangled in the vice of paid news. Some media stars have been found to be hobnobbing with the powerful and the compromised.
The judiciary is an independent constitutional body, yet the number of cases of alleged corruption against judges is increasing. Cases are piling up in courts, and the number of pending cases has crossed four crore. This has resulted in miscarriage of justice in many instances.
Watchdog institutions & ruling class
In brief, neither independence of functioning nor constitutional status has helped watchdog institutions to effectively perform their assigned tasks. The reason is that democracy, the super-watchdog which should deliver all-round accountability, has become weak in India. The ruling class has played havoc with the watchdog institutions so as to control them for their narrow ends. That is why the demand for a strong Lokpal gained momentum. Democracy ought to have ensured accountability of institutions. Votes should have weeded out the corrupt but just the opposite has been happening — the honest rarely win elections.
Democracy has become formalistic. Legislatures should check corruption but it would not be so if the elected are beholden to the corrupt or are themselves corrupt. The problem is political; it cannot be resolved through technical fixes or by having more laws — these are anyway being circumvented. A weak democracy presents a no-win situation: if a democracy is weak, the corrupt get elected and misuse their autonomy; if the legislators' autonomy is curbed, democracy weakens. Only a conscious public, not rules and laws, can deliver autonomous and incorruptible legislators.
That is why today there is a need for political movements that can change the national consciousness, a task being addressed by the movement against corruption and for Lokpal. So, the question is, can there be strong watchdogs in a weak democracy?
(The author is a Professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. E-mail: arunkumar1000@hotmail.com)
Comments:
Good attempt to touch each pulse of current democracy in india. From begining we dont know the feeling of freedom and free society. We need to find lost pride and freedom in our day to day life. I think this strong lokpal in one of such fight from common people and they have to win it by erecting it. This would open floodgates against mafias and middleman in our democracy and possibly remove or reduce them.
Yes, "Only a conscious public, not rules and laws, can deliver autonomous and incorruptible legislators". Very well said! But how conscious do we (Indians) become, even after completing a post graduation through out schools, and colleges with the prevalent syllabus (education system), about socioeconomic, cultural and political issues that have been plaguing India since millennia? Then it is easier to imagine the case of the "illiterate" majority people (bahujan)in rural and urban India today. What do they think about Corruption, accountability, transparency and democracy? And how long will it take India to educate its population?
First and wthe foremost thing is that each and every citizen of this country should touch their consciousness and take a Solom oath that in their day to day life they will not be a party to corrupt activities and they will not offer any bribe to any body to get their things done. Secondly the anti corruption movement is to be viewed as yet another freedom movement, from villages to cities people should erupt like volcanos and force all political parties to surrender to this voice of people and this should be reflected in action not only by the political parties who are afraid to have a strong lokpal because of corrupt practices, all government departments should give an undertaking to the people of this country, that they will not be a stooge to the corrupt activities of their political masters and whole heatedly join this movement.
If the people are determined to fight in one voice, we will notice the ultimate submission of political parties to go with the movemen,we will save India.
Mr Arun Kumar has assessed the 'weak democracy' in India resulting in the present state of affairs. While anyone can make laws, only the 'strong and genuine' democracy which has the peoples interest as supreme can have the will to implement the laws. I feel that the children at a very young age have to be educated on the 'good values' of a citizen, by the parents and by their elementary school teacher. This should be done before they are ten years old. "Moral" education is a must upto the middle school level. Lementary school teachers must be well selected and highly paid.
Wish of people would prevail despite millions efforts to curb it.
While the author eloquently narrated the ills of the weak Indian democracy, he has not thrown up any workable solutions. It seems nothing works, inspite of according constitutional status for various bodies to curb corruption. So, the writer asks how any Lokpal can function. Even the press is now biased. A bleak picture for Indian democracy! Wise leaders in various institutions is the crying need of the hour, I guess.
Can any type of Lok Pal will have power to take action on corrupt people who are using in the courts "not before me" clause to hear their cases by a friendly judge. This is exactly what is happening in Andhra Pradesh High Court and the same was repeated in the Supreme Court. Are we simply wasting our time harbouring on Lok Pal Bill to create another super power. In fact national media is not bothered on "not before me" issue but worried on Hazare & troupe. Why?
This article has dealt the malaise of corruption in its various forms and platforms.Politicians though have accepted of corruption being widespread are averse to strong antidotes for personal reasons when they are expected and sworn to impeccable moral standards.This seeps down to lowest levels of govt machinery Central/State.REMEDIES.Bureaucracy must have no political control and accountable to itself only.Investigative agencies-CBI,CVC and CAG with other similar agencies-could be made independent under one umbrella an ombudsman. Public should demand these if need be constitutionally.
Corruption has seeped into every cell of the body politic and people have resigned to the all pervasive corruption. Voters who accept money &madyam(liquor) for casting votes for a particular candidate and business people who consider that that the money they pay to get their things as investment in business and people who want things done in their favor,even though irregular or against rules, are also responsible for perpetuation of corruption. The tolerance for corruption is very high and is culturally accepted. So how can corruption be curbed however strong Lokpal bill we may have? A strong aversion against corruption among people and a strong movement for it alone can minimise corruption.
Good article about how the elected political class & corporates are over riding all the check sum mechanisms of statutory and constiutional bodies of our country
A beautifully written piece, kudos to author
I am totally agree with Mr. Arun Kumars’ article that there is need for strong political movements that only can change the national consciousness regarding corruption and other malpractices carried by several government or non-government class. I personally believe that neither any institution nor any law bring change in this regard unless the people itself are committed to uproot the disease, prevailing in the society in the form of corruption and other disguise. We just curse the system, while sitting at home and wait for any magic, which will be spelled out and all problems shall be solved. But reforms start from our courtyards, means from us. Now there is time for self-introspection. Democracy lies in the hands of general people their right decision and commitment to follow the path of Mahatma Gandhi must turn the situation from worst to bad and then from bad to good and so on. I appreciate the writers’ way as he goes to the depth of real problem and it must make other to rethink.
Who could give guarantee that appointed Lokpal members would be free from all sort of influences? They would have leanings and convictions.They would not be saints.If the existing system could not deliver, the new one would also fail. We have to clear the inbuilt impediments in summoning the elected representatives,ministers and servants of the Government/s to the trial.ie., The courts must be provided with power to try them without obtaining prior permission from the government. Officers of lower echelons be tried in lower courts and higher echelons and others in appropriate courts. Much less efforts will suffice to modify the the existing system than to create a new one. New thing would be nothing or a monster! Who knows?
Mr. Arun Kumar has done very good attempt in making public aware of the current situation of our country. Although our country is Democratic, no sign of democracy is visible now a days. Most of the leaders are corrupt.The proof is failure of passing of lokpal bill as law. I am completly in support of this article.
Excellent article from even a neutral view point.Even though our constitution was formed assuming India as an ideal country,our politicians have always been successful in utilizing it according to their needs. The problem worsened after economy liberalization in 1991, after which the politicians were remotely operated by corporate giants for meeting their aim of more profits. Hence both politicians and business giants accumulated more and more money in geometric progression and hence created two societies one is 1 percent wealthy controlling 99 percent of one of the poorest people in the world. After handing lot of lucrative promises in the election manifesto, they continue to loot mother India to even more pathetic situation and when the time comes after 5 years, they will use the accumulated wealth in swiss banks to buy the votes of majority poor and illiterate people by giving free liquor and other amenities as the case happened in every state.
The learned professor has labored hard to stress a state of nadir in the fight to contain corruption that has assumed monstrous proportions; the more he delves, greater is his despair. Founding fathers of our Constitution never bargained for an abysmal degeneration in public life. Various watch dog machinery were provided in the Constitution; but had been bent or abused systematically and assiduously by the successive ruling parties; it took over sixty years for the over-bearing stench to hurt. When the custodians themselves turn thieves, there is no recourse. The CBI became the extended arm of the nefarious activities. What is the guarantee that an additional tier of a Lokpal would also not be compromised? It would be only a question of time. The crooks have the wherewithal to immunize themselves to adapt and survive. The only solution lies in not sending crooks to the parliament, not withstanding a strong Lokpal bill. Electoral reforms for eligibility and spending are a top priority.
Totally agree with your opinion that end of the day the political awareness and will of the people that is going to decide the quality of administration and system we get. The maxim, we get the government we deserve is always true. The vested of interests of political class is now pausing nations march towards a better governance and delivery system. This is very much evident in Women’s reservation bill and Lokpal Bill. But this has to take as a perpetual fight; we have to fight for improving the system. What we have seen in the case of Lokpal discussion in Parliament is that all major political dispensations were covertly subverting the legislation towards an effective Lokpal institution. Instead of putting their effort together to get the law passed with the help of opposition, ruling party wanted to score some points instead. Their insincerity was amply clear in the whole episode.
But nobody wants to see themselves as against the anti-corruption law, where lay the real opportunity to the emerging civil society groups to exploit. Civil society must concentrate on ruling party and make them accountable for the fiasco that has enacted in Parliament. They must also target individual politicians and political parties like Laloo Prasad, Thrinamool Congress, who take a very negative stand on the issue. They also must openly articulate the indefinite stands taken by BJP and put them on defensive on their political game plans. We the people of this country can’t afford to give up this fight anyway.
In fourth para of your article you have mentioned Chief Vigilance Commission as a Constitutional body along with CAG. Actually in 1998 through Presidential order CVC was accorded statutory status and finally in 2003 through Parliamentary Act i.e.Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003, it got the final Statutory status.
I agree to the writing of the author that we have to stand on our own
rather than to demand for a strong effective Lokpal Bill.That a strong
institution makes us fight against the wrong and the corrupted is no
doubt true,but it is always not going to help us if we are not
concious of the bad and the way dealing with it.Corruption has been
growing day by day and is not to be checked by only mere dependency on
anti-institutions.So the society suffering from corruption be ready
for the challenges whether institution are here or not.
There is no denying of the fact that we need a great social transformation , however we can not wait, for years to come, to see the change in our social outlook towards corruption . Therefore we need a machinery , an institution , such as Lokpal .Though we have many such institution but those more often than not acted as mere puppets in hand of executives or could not do much because constraints provided in their statute itself.Reforming these institution is equally tasking as creating one. However present conditions made the environment conducive for creating new one .But it appears that it would not see the light of day as have happened before . I seriously doubt intention of government . Creating a Lokpal and lokayukta under article 253 undoubtly undermines the federal scheme of constitution. Power conferred on parliament is not to interfere in autonomy of state rather supplement it. Therefore it didn't get the support in legislature .Though government was well aware of it.
It all proves the point that "Unless a thief has a change of heart about
what he is doing, we can't eradicate theft". The only other way would be
to have draconian punishments be imposed for corruption. Until then all
these discussions and debates will go on.
There cannot be immutable solutions. when you keep a check in place a modus operandi to circumvent it would be evolved; then another check to prevent that ingenious scheme or scam would put in place; then another innovative ...and so the process goes on. Educated polity helps minimise the practice of corruption. People who become rich by questionable means should not be given undue respect nor the public feel overwhelmed by the display of illgotten wealth. They can be more effective deterrent. There may not be magic wands to root out corruption..
Strong or weak the watch dogs could only watch.at the most it could bark loudly.They could never bite even if they are given teeth.That is the weakness of democracy.
The article emphasises the need to realization of people. People are pointing towards the government to be responsible but it is the duty of the people to elect responsible representatives.This is the failure of the people to make responsible government. With 60 years of democratic experience,starting with 17 percent literacy our democracy is considered to be young in terms of maturity. In this proceses of social evolution we realise our mistakes and rectify. "No constitutional watch dog is superior than a responsible citizen".
Many important points have been made in the article and by various commentators, the most important being the fact that only a vigilant public can arrest corruption. However, it ought to be this very same public that refuses to succumb to both accepting and giving bribes. Moral rectitude must be inculcated at a young age before the cancer of corruption begins to take hold. If nothing else, at least the IAC movement has brought the issue of corruption to the forefront of public discussion which ought to influence the young in a positive way. However the movement needs to be sustained otherwise we may simply be clutching at straws. Some weariness of the movement seems to have already crept in. Ergo, the primary question is "Do we, the people, really want to arrest corruption?" Well, do we??
I dont share the view that Indian democracy is 'weak'. It is the illiterate population of this country that had taught a lesson to the perpetrators of the emergency by thrashing them out lock, stock and barrel. Yes. I do agree with the writer that the corrupt are getting elected; perhaps again and again too.
When someone who is corrupt is getting elected again and again, it is not for their being corrupt, they are reelected. Beyond being corrupt they have also been able to meet the social, economic and political aspirations of the people. Why should the arm-chair intelligentsia grudge giving credit to the political class for this service? There cannot be any higher authority above the people's mandate. The serious weakness of the proposed Lokpal is that it does not have the mandate of the people; what Hazare team could do is to participate in the electoral process, mobilize support of the people and bring about changes in the constitution in whatever way he wants.
There is no need to expect either confession or change of heart from the ruling class and political parties who thrive on corruption in practice. No need to turn cynical or depend on 'political movements' which may promise more than they can perform. The movement for Lokpal bill has unnerved and exposed the hypocrisy of parties which appeared to have been in favour of it. we need to revitalize institutions that have gone awry and also create new ones to rejuvenate democracy from time to time. At present the educated as well as the common people have become habituated to accept corruption. The movement was a social, political and moral one in spite of its limitations. So we need this bill to become an act to make the corrupt accountable to public money and to the electorate.
It is the mentality of the politicians and the people in the government machinery which must change which would be able to stop corruption . Otherwise there is no way out. Corruption has become a habit in our day to day life . Honesty is left far behind even by so called honest people in the nation.
Corruption in India is a touchy issue and no constitutional body can ever be a watch dog. The spate of events in RS while debating the bill proved our elected members do not want being watched by yet another body. Has any Income tax Officer posted as election observer ever found any political candidate crossing the Lakshman rekha which means every candidate in the fray had stood by the norms fixed by the election commission. Then why this hue and cry over the reforms in spending during elections by various political candidates. It is true that the municipal councillors spend more money than what has been fixed for an MP in our country during municipal elections. The role of Income tax officers in assessing the election expenditure has become a farce as none could go indepths in studying the election expenditure ever since the concept has been introduced by Shri. T.N.Seshan,former CEC.
The article makes a sad reading. Unless the ruling class works honestly to eradicate corruption, because only it knows how it can be tackled effectively, the fight against corruption by people's movements appears to be a lost case as we see it today.
As one of the commentators pointed out, the article merely points out that nothing is working and offers no constructive solution other than the maxim that the people must be vigilant to ensure that democracy functions properly. Yes, the Indian public has miles to go in their resolve to stay away from corruption for their personal gains. Unfortunately this is a very difficult process. Most people, educated or otherwise, will consider a little bribe as a means of saving time. We all want to pay the devil his dues rather than getting caught in his clutches and suffer endless delays and frustration. It is this attitude that institutionalize corruption in any society. The Government machinery in India is draconian and one needs to make it lean to ensure that the common man can get on with his life without harassment at his hands. The sooner this is accomplished the better.
A very good effort to disect & expose about present way the the democracy is working,due to majority of law makers ellected to parliament from all parties & deliberately by congress ,are all criminal with criminal back ground,are super corrupt,( including Ministers in ruling, congress led UPA,under a weak PM, who is a silent witness to every thing under his nose, & unable to exercise powers as PM.
Secondly all the, majority of MPs are interested in saving themselves from such a strong Lokpal bill for evident reasons that are no secret & are posing as though it is democracy & claiming it as supreme & making it not to sail through,as they are afraid of their being in trouble.Again for the same reson CBI is not supported for independent one, wantingt control over it all t5he while for their security.It is some thing like the thief controlling the investigation to his advantage.
A very good analysis of all real issues involved. Comgratulatios for this version of facts.
The opinion is really the mirror of our six decade old democracy in a vivid way .No political party want the true LOKPAL to be installed . All have to expend money (the black one)to win election . All have to use the investigating agencies ( CBI , CVC )to counter the others . We , the voters , have to decide for the right ones . But to whom we vote . there should be an option in the ballot paper . None of the above .
An excellent well drafted article at this juncture. The author has touched all aspects of Route of Corruption in Law Making body - Law Enforcing/Breaking Authority – Law abiding/breaking citizen etc. In our country, in the name of democracy & by virtue of delegated Power, the fate & aspirations of about 120 crore citizen are decided by the so called 534 Elected Members of Parliament. It is high time that all our right thinking leaders/authors/readers to offer their valuable viable solution to route out corruption at all level. Incidentally, I think it may be appropriate to share my own case with our readers that how by corrupt practice one of my colleagues who is not even possessing required basic educational qualifications/minimum years service to be put in the feeder category etc. already got relaxation twice in the lower posts (generally no two relaxations should be given to same individual) managed to get State Cadre Post/Group-A promotion by suppressing the facts, though I was the only fully qualified person to be appointed to the post as per mandatory provision of Rules issued under Art. 309 of the Constitution of India. He has not only succeeded in relaxing relevant rules in his favour third time but also prevented the eligibility provision of other departmental Officers provided in the Rules with retrospective effect which is not permissible under Law as the accrued rights could not be taken away with retrospective effect. In spite of my repeated representations for more than 25 years, though I was not given proper final reply as per Law, as a respite under Right to Know Information Act, I was shocked to see from the xerox copies of Circulation Note submitted to Minister leading to his temporary Promotion by submitting intentional false note suppressing Rule Position/Educational qualification etc. overlooking the claims of fully qualified i.e. myself. Unmindful of torture enacted against me by the department at his instance for about three decades, at the fag end of my Official career I approached the Hon’ble Court for legal remedy seeking justice & to rectify the illegal acts by the Appointing Authority. Though the Hon’ble Court directed the Authorities to produce the relevant records under Art. 226 of Constitution as early in the 2010, it seems that the authorities have not filed Counter till date. Now I am retired from Govt. Service, but my fight for corrupt act still continues………… to get the justice restored?
A fairly good laundry list of moral decadence of political and democratic decay - with rising income and inequality. I've argued here against thinking Lokpal Bill is the *be all and end all* of all cure to Indian corruption. It will not! Corruption, as listed above by Arun, is not becoming less worrisome; it has become the *cancer in public life*, and getting worse with rising inequality. Methinks only public education and development of a generation of moral hazards...will eventually facilitate reducing the incident of rampaging political/commercial corruption in the subcontinent.
Author has correctly traced the root cause of corruption in India and suggested the long term and permanent solution which lies in the political movements. There is an apprehension that these movements will also be grabbed by the vested interested - corrupt politician. These movements should be well conscious of this possible threat.
Professor Arun Kumar has presented a good case for the need for strengthening our Democracy. To eliminate corruption, we not only need institutional mechanisms for punishing the corrupt but also a rewarding atmosphere for a Politician to do good. Alas!, our current electoral system does not allow good people to enter political arena. The problem is with the First Past the Post System we use. With Politics becoming increasingly competitive, marginal vote has become all important. Politicians are using money or distributing liquor to shift that marginal vote towards them. In recent Kadapa MP elections, around 400 crores of black money was supposedly spent. It is not that spending money will ensure victory for a Politician, but not spending will gaurantee him defeat. Once in office, they try to make many folds of what they have spent. The EC has failed to understand this issue. The solution for this is to go for Mixed Proportional Representation System to strengthen our Indian democracy.
Agreed that a mass movement is required to revitalize social consciousness and bring about a national transformation, but not of the Lokpal agitation type (though it has much to be commended about). That is because of the implicit 'externalisation' of the problem and the top-down solutions that such movements adopt. Democracy cannot be attributed merely to any tangible framework of a society or its institutions but to an internal discipline that subjects the self to reasonable bounds; and finding security in a sense of togetherness.
Any movement, to succeed, has to incorporate such a feeling among ALL the participants, even if it is limited to only a particular class of society. Imagine a protest, where every citi-zen scrupulously follows every traffic rule, in letter and spirit - keep to the left, give way to the right, no horns or speed in residential/school/hospital areas, mobiles off, ... . Benefits for all, and perhaps the start of an agreeable epidemic all the way to the top!
This article presents a good analysis of why watch dog institutions and constitutional bodies are not able to do their job. Selfish and immoral politicians and also certain business corporations that bribe in order to further their business interests have hobbled our progress in all fronts. I agree with the author that there is a need for political movements that can change national consciousness against corruption like the Lokpal movement. The comments section provides some valuable solutions to curb corruption. Mr. Rajagopal's comment that the children have to be taught good moral values at a very tender age is a very important point. I also agree with the point made by Mr. Anand Mohan. He mentioned that let some defective Lokpal start work and later on it can be amended to become more effective instead of waiting for a perfect Lokpal bill.
The answer to checking corruption lies not in enacting laws or
creating a Lokpal but in raising the moral standards in a society In
our pursuit of wealth and success we have totally lost sight of our
values. When the 'Dharma' declines in society it leads to total
confusion and chaos, a phenomenon which we are witnessing today in
India. There is a need for a movement for the Spiritual regeneration
of the society. Our Constitution should be amended so that only honest
and competent persons are elected to Parliament and the state
assemblies. Our value system has to change so that people who are
value-driven are respected and not those who are wealthy. In our craze
to emulate the West we have totaly abandoned our own culture.
One of the most difficult aspects of tackling corruption in our
country is due to the delayed justice system; a case in point is
Sukhram’s case which was dragging for several years with no end of
the tunnel. Whether Lokpal bill or any such bills even if it is
passed will not be effective, unless it is followed with necessary
changes in the justice system for speedy trail.Since most of the
corruption activities are taking place in Govt offices which
directly affects the common man, a mechanism by which, say Lokpal
along with speedy trail, these malicious issues can be reduced if
not curbed totally will be a major achievement. The high end
corruption with the active support of corporate big houses is a
malady all over the world, no amount of written law will be of any
use whether it is middle path or not.
Allow judiciary to try and pronounce judgement; Instead Media taking the role is unwarrented; shows their partisan inclinations. Our people are still carried away by the Polical propoganda unawares!
Actualy the basic problem lies in the ethics of the people and i think they are diminishing at a rapid pace.
Frankly speaking those so dead set against corruption must learn how to live with it. This sounds quite pessimistic but this is the harsh reality. No institution or legislation can root this social evil completely out but can only curb its impact even when it's in its most efficient state. The anwer lies in education. Better education and an enlightened mass with zero biasness, subjectivity in decision making can put in place a strong and effective system that will cater to the needs of everyone without any discrimination. Politicians are blamed for betraying those they represent but it is we who must share the larger share of this blame for not being wise enough during election and vote for a candidate based on our own parochial calculations of 'gain'. That's why candidates with criminal antecedents get elected and brag about their public support in the Parliament and elsewhere making us look really stupid when we complain of them not living up to our aspirations.
I think this was the best attempt ever made to provoke a common man against corruption. Without the will of him the remedies like Lokpal, CAG,IA etc. will aggravate the malady.It will disseminate like cancer in the whole body of Indian democracy and i think it has. The only way to curb this insidious disease is to make such a watchdog which really works with the sole motive of "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people".On the other hand the politicians are really intended to sabotage the way around to handle this situation.
Democracy in India is a curse just like Nehru Family.To correct this
you need some one to make the law work.When the law makers and ruling
party become thieves and gundas there is no need for more explanation
this country is on the path of destruction.After 65 years of independance what this country achieved uncontrollable population,corruption in any where you look,garbage,no clean water to
drink.
A balanced view that takes into account the true foibles in adopting democracy
in a deeply divided society . It gets seen as an instrumental tool - all form and poor
content . This dissociation suits the currently better off middle class best . It
makes light demands on their moral stance as in that society.
TN Seshan's attempt to clean up electoral politics was valiant but the dog's tail
now stands re-twisted.A totally fair election even if secured through minatory
processes is no substitute, nor will necessarily advance true and deep democracy.
Gandhiji said with brutal honesty that corruption will persist in India as long its
twin - hypocrisy -is not eradicated.
So a realist like Aristotle says that the important question about democracy is not
how to have the most of it but how to make it last a week more. Let us not delude
ourselves- we need first a more just society than severe looking and minatory laws
and watch dogs
Major points of corruption in our system has been rightly highlighted. Media in any form for the last few years is working as an watchdog on the corrupt practices involving the elected leaders. Their dual face can rightly be seen when one side they shout against corruption and on the other they themself or their relatives are involved in corruption. The present Lokpal Bill has teeth but not cutting teeth. The role of the present constitutional bodies particularly investigative needs to be reviewed and little autonomy has to be provided if our leaders actually want to eradicate corruption.
Yada Raja, dadha praja......... as simply as that. First, the political leaders should be clean enough to lead the administration. Only then, they dictate their staff. Otherwise it is going to be never ending...
People like Manmohan singh and Jayalalitha should come forward for that....No, xyz can change the deep rooted corrupt policies that prevails in India. People like us, who tries to preach/tell, are all living in abroad. I'm very sorry to say that. But that is the reality.
That every one of us knows that justice delayed is Justice denied.In spite of several efforts,one can only but the Politicians,for dragging their feet especially when it comes to the appointment of judges.There are some states in the country that do take a sincere interest,but can it be said to be the same,for the country as a whole.At times makes one wonder,when it comes to appointments to higher judiciary,why it should be politicians who should decide,it's this lacunae thats been exploited by the politicians to their advantage,and consequently the public of the country suffer.It's high time that citizens of the country ponder,who should be given the power,either in the appointment of Judges of higher courts or other constitutional positions like the heads of SHRC/Consumer forums than entrust the powers to elected representatives,since these people have betrayed the interests of the people
Poll corruption starts from way tickets are auctioned by parties. It would be better for EC to conduct elections to the party posts also through secret ballots. Most of the parties are run with money power and are not democratic. Until the parties themselves become democratic one cannot see a functioning democracy. Recent happenings in LOKPAL discussion clearly demonstrated that none of our MPs ever understand the implications of the bills tabled in Parliament. They only vote or shout at the behest of their party bosses (read money power). It would be better if EC starts a debate on conducting of inter party elections.
There are many who may be thinking that corruption issues in India are not noticed abroad, and that it is an internal matter and its effects will remain within India. Unfortunately this is not true any longer. Today,particularly after the CW games event, every Indian, whether from India or from any where else in the world, is looked upon as potentially corrupt.It is a very sad stigma for any race.The recent persecution against Indians in China is a glaring example of this phenomenon. It will take years,to build the trust of the world.
When prominent leaders thumped their desks backing the criticism of Anna Hazare by a parliamentarian of the old 'Mr Cleans' caliber, the event did not go unnoticed by the world. Even more noticeable was the silence of the honest leaders at the tirade against the only crusader against corruption that India has seen in recent years.
The least India can do is to ensure that people with criminal records are not allowed to stand in any parliamentary election.
Good article. When in the name of democracy we have one of the most corrupt governement, nothing will ever get done. India does not deserve a democracy
To borrow a phrase from George Bush- make no mistake the politicos are not going to finance the expenses of running political parties from their coffers. Having come to power they earn immediately the money spent on previous election and for the next election(s) and for the pockets of all and sundry.When they are in it the more the merrier. Every scam is financed by the people including the ones who subsist on mango kernel soup. In a civilised society you should have respect for teh rule of law and infringement with life and liberties of the people. The law is misused by these politicos in the unlikely event of Prosecution. They get elected soon on anti incumbency vote or whatever.. Is the polity not to blame.. There are no easy solutions- till the citizens wake up..does apopular brand of tea help us to wake up fully?:)
As,Chand said"Since most of the corruption activities are taking place in Govt offices which directly affects the common man, a mechanism by which, say Lokpal along with speedy trial, these malicious issues can be reduced if not curbed totally and it will be a major achievement,providing remedial action in 99%of the common man's troubles perpetrated by the Government officials in almost all departments whose officers are getting full support for their corrupt practices from their unions including I.A.S.,officers trade Unions which prevent even Chief ministers from taking any disciplinary actions unlike in Bihar which has a Chief Minister who has the guts to show that not all indians are corrupt as thought by the readers.The Government is virtually blackmailing the public at the behest of the corrupt legislators,Ministers and senior bureaucrats who refuse to follow rules and twist them against the honest peopleonly to make the public shell out their hard earned money to reta
Studies on moral and ethical behavior are the need of the day, to be taught to young minds from elementary through high school and college curriculum. This way, the future generation will develop independent thinking on life's eternal values not corrupted by materialism's downside of self aggrandizement at any cost and a true understanding of the rights to life, liberty and fruits of one's own labor that a healthy democracy can promise. NCERT backed by initiatives from spiritual heads of religions can start such an effort so that the present malaise becomes a distant aberration some thirty years from now when the new generation tries its hand in strengthening the system and it's institutions against decay.
People are frustrated and don't know where to go. Their day to day problems are plenty.Most of them are not personal. The govt's failure to provide infrastructure like, power, water, transport, roads etc make them run from pillar to post. Politicians feel that they are a breed sent by god to enjoy, command. They forget that they are elected by the people, for the people. So also the all the govt employees. Both are not accountable for anything. Unless they are punished brutally, nothing will change in this country as people are resigned to the philosophy of Fate.
Few individuals gripping and whining will not solve as we can see the so called harvard PM join the goondas to stall the lokpal bill.So people live for today and believe in god for future.
The article proves that there is murmur to get freedom from the clutches of insidious politicians.Everyday there is a galore of such finger pointing activities.But no one seems to come forward.Social justice for society needs sacrifice. Do the Indians have courage to come to the forefront. Answer is no. So its better to be mannequin and let the things move the way these have been moving for 64 years. No Lokpal, any bill or any movement awake the dead conscience of Indians
Corruption is part of democracy. It is there from the starting of current form of democracy ( i think it is in france). In ancient India, democracy comes and goes and it is never thought to be good for the country. Let's learn to live with that.
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