The Anna Hazare fast has seen an outpouring of support across the country. The government Lokpal Bill is unacceptable. A fresh Bill is needed for an effective Lokpal.
There has been an outpouring of support all over the country in favour of the fast conducted by Anna Hazare for the Jan Lokpal Bill. The agitation has found support predominantly from the urban middle classes and a substantial section of youth belonging to the strata. There is no doubt that since the first hunger strike launched by Anna Hazare in April, the anti-corruption movement has gained momentum.
The attitude of the United Progressive Alliance government and its failure to tackle corruption, have fuelled widespread anger. First, the government is seen as being complicit in corruption. This has been the most corrupt government in the history of independent India. The paradox of a “clean” Prime Minister heading such a government has sunk into the consciousness of the urban middle classes.
The manner in which Ministers in the government defended the corrupt practices indulged in as a part of the 2G spectrum allocation, stating that there was zero loss of revenue for the government, confirmed the fears of many people that this government, steeped in corruption as it is, cannot take any meaningful action on this front. In all the cases – whether it be those related to the allocation of 2G spectrum or the conduct of the Commonwealth Games – agencies independent of the government, that is, the Supreme Court of India or, the Comptroller and Auditor General, were the ones that spurred the Central Bureau of Investigation into action to investigate and prosecute the guilty.
The problem has been compounded by the government's act of introducing a Lokpal Bill that is weak and ineffective. The Prime Minister is excluded from the purview of the Lokpal. The method of appointment of the Lokpal will not make it an independent authority. A Lokpal set up under the provisions of this Bill would be unable to act independently. There are no provisions for the Lokpal to act against corporates and business enterprises that indulge in corrupt practices in relation to the government.
Secondly, the UPA government and the Congress leadership were in the dock for the manner in which Anna Hazare and his colleagues were arrested on the morning of August 16, even before the hunger strike was launched. The irony of a corrupt government putting an anti-corruption crusader in Tihar jail was not lost on the people. The brazen attack on the democratic rights of citizens to protest peacefully, isolated the government among the people and inside Parliament.
The ruling party decried the Hazare-led movement as an attack on Parliament and democratic institutions. Its leaders claimed that since the government has introduced a Bill in Parliament, any agitation against it is an attack on Parliament. This is specious reasoning. Political parties and citizens' organisations have the right to oppose and agitate against any bill introduced in Parliament. The Left parties and the trade unions have opposed many bills which were anti-working class, and organised protest actions and struggles against them. Strikes have taken place against proposed legislation that seeks to liberalise the financial sector in the areas of insurance and banking.
Even the Congress opposed the Prevention of Terrorism Bill that was introduced in Parliament in 2002 by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government. The Congress continued to oppose the legislation even after its enactment, and demanded its withdrawal.
Corruption has become a major issue and people are increasingly becoming conscious and determined to fight it. But there is need for a proper understanding of the causes for the rampant corruption that has affected all spheres of public life. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has set out its understanding of the present malaise of corruption, the causes and the effects.
In the last two decades, with the advent of liberalisation and the neo-liberal policies, high-level corruption has become institutionalised. The neo-liberal regime has led to an exponential rise in corruption. Much of this corruption stems from the big business-ruling politician-bureaucratic nexus which has been established.
We have seen how, in the seven years of the UPA government and the earlier six years of the NDA government, policy-making has been suborned to serve the interests of big business; how privatisation and the loot of natural resources are facilitated by this nexus in operation; how the UPA government has pandered to big business – Indian and foreign – by putting in place policies and mechanisms to facilitate the transfer of resources such as land, minerals, natural gas and so on to business barons. The neo-liberal regime has affected the political system with big capital holding sway. Increasingly, politics is being converted into a business, and business is conducted through politics.
The fight against high-level corruption, therefore, requires a multi-pronged effort. There has to be an effective Lokpal authority; there has to be electoral reforms to curb money power for politics; there has to be a distinct mechanism to curb corruption in the higher judiciary through separate legislation; there has to be firm measures to unearth black money and crack down on those who have stashed away illegal money abroad in tax havens. Above all, the features of the neo-liberal regime, which encourage accumulation of capital through corrupt means and facilitate the loot of natural resources by big business, should be ended.
The main source of support for the Hazare-led movement is the urban middle class. Many of them were supporters of the liberalisation policies and the reforms ushered in by the Manmohan Singh government. Now plagued by corruption, they want a messiah to get rid of the corruption that constantly affects their daily life. They would like corruption to end, while maintaining the economic regime that has conferred certain benefits on them. Hence they are unable to see the organic link between the neo-liberal policies and the corruption that has been engendered.
The middle class propensity to be anti-political, to blame all politicians and to hold Parliament in contempt, are all on display in the Anna Hazare movement. The constant harping against all political parties and the setting of unilateral deadlines for Parliament to act have raised apprehensions about their intent and commitment to democratic values. This has only detracted from the rightness of the cause and the popular support it has evoked.
There is legitimate anger against the plutocracy that has come to dominate the political system. But this plutocracy and the corrupt nexus cannot be fought by targeting political parties and concentrating fire only on the petty corruption that citizens face in their daily lives. Given the amorphous nature of the movement that has gathered around Anna Hazare, the right-wing forces, including the corporate media, seek to support and direct the movement away from the focus on the fountainhead of corruption. There is a constant masking of the real causes of corruption in society. In a poll conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, published recently in The Hindu, to a question ‘who is the most corrupt,' 32 per cent of those surveyed said government employees were the most corrupt; 43 per cent said elected representatives were the most corrupt; and only 3 per cent thought businessmen and industrialists were the most corrupt. This is the dominant opinion among the middle classes.
In every major corruption scandal in the recent period, there was big business or corporates involved in the act of corrupting public servants – whether they were Ministers or civil servants. In the irregularities involved in the 2G spectrum allocation, the Commonwealth Games and the Krishna-Godavari basin gas contract, the hidden hand of big business exists. The government's Lokpal Bill does not address this issue at all. The Jan Lokpal bill at least has clauses providing for the cancellation of contracts, and imposition of penalties on business found to have been illegally obtained by them. But the thrust of the anti-corruption movement, by and large, misses this main factor.
While a set of measures has to be taken to tackle the problem of corruption, right now the issue is the setting up of a strong Lokpal authority. The government's Lokpal Bill has been rejected by large sections of the people; and it is not acceptable to most of the Opposition parties. In such a situation, the government should retract from its stand.
After eight days of the fast by Anna Hazare, the government has bowed down to public pressure and initiated talks with the representatives of the Hazare group. This is a welcome development. Hopefully, this will lead to a fresh or modified bill that can pave the way for an effective Lokpal.
(Prakash Karat is the general secretary of the Communist Party of India - Marxist.)
Keywords: Anna Hazare fast, Government-civil society talks, Team Anna, Jan Lokpal, anti-corruption movement, India Against Corruption, Ramlila Maidan
Karat rightly points out, "In every major corruption scandal in the recent period, there was big business or corporates involved in the act of corrupting public servants – whether they were Ministers or civil servants...But the thrust of the anti-corruption movement, by and large, misses this main factor." There is no use lamenting this. The anti-corruption sentiment whipped up by Hazare's fast should have been taken advantage of by the Left to highlight this point by joining the movement and wrenching the leadership. That was what AKG used to do in Kerala in the 1940s and 1950s. AKG and the CPI in Kerala would be in the forefront of any such anti-British or anti-capitalist movement irrespective of who kick started it. The Left today has lost the revolutionary zeal of those days and is too much parliament-oriented, forgettig that parliament is after all a bourgeois institution.
Left has been part of last UPA.What was you were doing on supportive benches then?. i want to ask you a question which i face while voting my MP. does anyone of the person on ballot paper have some sort of knowledge regarding work he has to perform by sitting in any of the parliamentory benches or ministry? they certainly know their powers and rights perks and procedures but about work i doubt. When any one of them become minister does he knows what he is signing? why every M.P. is trying to score a debate point in every discussion when i read a MP's speech only 5% is useful everything else is wastage. Not only government but every person not asking them about their action and solemnly seeing these things in house is responsible for corruption. Irrespective of on which benches acquired by them.
It is a pure failure of Working class and the left to win over the minds of the people to rally behind them on national crisis and for an alternate policy. That is why some body highjaking the mood of the masses.It is the right time to make it as debate
An enlightening article. Agree the Anna movement lost sight of the real reason that caused the recent varying type of scams. As pointed out much of these corruptions stems from the big business-ruling politician-bureaucratic nexus. The thrust of the anti-corruption movement, by and large, misses this main factor. Leaving corporates out of Lokpal doesn't make any sense. The need of the hour is a strong and effective Lokpal.
The parliamentary system in india need to be amended. A very minority numbers of members of political party gets the majority strength to rule the country by means of fraudulant practice of alliance. Whatever allegations like curruption,fraud and mismangement of foreign policy etc gets parliament approval with the help of minority political parties irrespective of majority mandate.If Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill or any other bills is introduced against the wishes of this group of politicians will not be get apporved.
Stupendous awakening among the people from all walks of life about the ill-effects of corruption and vociferous support for an effective Lokpal to root out it from the country has now left the ruling dispensation at the centre with no option other than accepting mounting public opinion against corruption and legislate without any delay the strong Lokpal bill. Mad pursuit of neo-liberal economic policies has not only led to the mindless plunder of national resources but also had set the stage for corruption of magnifying proportions to thrive on the ground. Unholy nexus between corporates, bureaucrats and the ruling politicians which the Niira radia tapes had revealed was an eye opener to many as it shed light on how policy making is getting influenced and manipulated by the corporates to serve and perpetuate their interest. Multi-pronged strategy to eliminate corruption of all hues is the need of the hour.
Mr.karat though enjoys a lot of respect in peoples mind but i strongly disagree with him of his views that liberalization should be criticized for all that is happening in india. One should not forget that it is lpg(liberalization,globalization and privatization) that have resulted into lessening of(though still estimated to be 41%) from India. Its bcoz of this lpg our govt revenues have increased manifold which it is spending on many social projects. He is right by saying corruption should be dealt as multifacet problem but tham why he with all other parties come out to make laws on electoral reforms where each and every money accounted to political parties are known to people.even they can to other extreme by denying people having criminal cases against them to fight election.this certainly will do lot of good to country complementary to strong lokpal.
mr. karat your opinion is good but what is your stand about Anna's fasting is not clear.
Indeed, every Indian is concerned about the teeming menace of corruption and it has definitely send a wrong message to world community India as a welfare state.The very citizens of this country have lost faith in democratic institutions and those who "govern" them.The root causes of this vice need to be identified, this may call for some sweep structural changes in various social structures and more importantly people have to do a deep introspect.Govt has to clear its mandate whether it stands for the corporates(for instance, it has pumped some Rs.21 lac crore in last six budgets in their belly... enough to feed...) or the aam admi who with every passing day gets denuded to external 'recessions'. Thanks
What if the Lokayukta turns to be the highest place of corruption? Instead, I would suggest bring the police departments out of the control of the politicians. Make the police department selection policies transparent. This would help reduce corruption. If police has more powers than politicians, then the police will stop worshiping the politicians. And the parliament will get better politicians and frame better rules for the country.
It is well-written article. But, it is not sufficient to merely criticize or high light failure of UPA government. CPM should suggest measures and new laws to be made or existing laws to be amended to contain corruption effectively. Those measures or laws should be put in public domain for in depth study and analysis. Unfortunately, no political party comes forward with any suggestion worthwhile to implement.
Prakash Karat expressed his views in very relevant manner. We need strong Jan Lokpal bill instead government tabled Lokpal bill contains so many loopholes that facilitates corrupt officials slither from the action. Opportunity for Left parties to prove always with anti-corruption policy. For one thing we need to appreciate Left parties they have ruled more than three decade there is no one incident of corruption, financial fraud and nepotism administration compare to other party ruling states. But because of they opposing LPG forced that party to receive debacle in the hands of TMC in recently concluded assembly election. Left parties have to support inside and outside the parliament anti-corruption bill which proposed by civil society if it need modify with utmost conscious without any scope to protect third party and indulgence.
It would be right to say that behind every corruption there are corrupt policies. Neither Lokpal nor Jan Lokpal will yield anything substantial unless there are appropriate reforms in our policies. In the current socio economic scenario privatization is a bigger threat than corruption. It is time the people of India realize the aftermaths of privatization, act firmly against it and contribute towards reducing the gap between urban rich and rural poor. Otherwise we can foresee something same as London and Greece riots in Delhi and Mumbai.
Lokpal or no lokpal, India can never wipe out corruption when it's people are typically corrupt themselves. Auto meters and electrical meters will continue to be tampered with, black money will continue to be a temptation, political advantage will always continue to be made use of, contacts with the bureaucratic setup will be used, hawalas will still flourish etc. What really ails the country is the mentality of an average Indian who has no identity of his own, except in showing off who he knows, how much money he has and what he owns. Indians like the Tatas barely exist in a country of over a billion. In contrast, the average man on the streets in the west - UK, Europe - is uncorruptible. Even politicians come under accountability because that is how their system flourishes. They don't have a Lokpal bill. It is a simple formula - no one and no one is above the law.
The stand that neoliberalism is the root cause of corruption is one among many truths.Corruption among party managers is one of the contributing factors to the down fall of USSR and now it is the greatest challenge to the Chinese system(The so called 'Market controlled Socialism'!!!) to which today CPI(M) is singing hymns to. Karat is not saying a word about the corporate/MNC friendly policies of the erstwhile government in WB or the inclusion of it's state secretary in a multi-national linked corruption case in Kerala.In kerala his party itself is a corporate entity running amusement parks, hospitals,schools and a host of other businesses.His finance minister in the erstwhile LDF government in kerala is a noted economist of the neo-liberal stream. What is his opinion on these matters concerning the 'MORAL LEFT'. First of all he should make his own house clean and then only proselytize.
I fully agree with Prakash Karat's views, 'a strong and effective Lokpal' the government Lokpal Bill is simply not acceptable, because,such legislations will not end the rampant corruption in the country,what is needed is strong peoples' movements to root out corruption, congress led UPA-II, is very weak in tackling this, simply because, how the nation and people have been defrauded due to the series of scandals like 2G spectrum ( Minister A Raja already in Jail) Commonwealth Games, Adarsh Housing, KG Basin Gas scam etc in which ruling coaling leaders,in connivance with corrupt officials, looted public money were trying to subverting not only democracy but supremacy of Indian Constitution itself. secondly, Anna is simple honest character, has been utilized like 'Chess Pawn' by this Saffron supporters, (in the past 'Anti-reservation'campaign same youths mobilised, ) when B.S.Yeddiyurappa, a corrupt former CM,facing charge sheet BJP is don't have any moral rights to support Anna's battle.
The article exactly articulates how we have made a mockery of the huge benefits that could have been reaped through liberalization from the natural resources like spectrum, oil and gas fields etc. Only the rich corporates and their employees have accrued the benefits thoroughly and it is their exponential growth that is influencing the overall growth rate of India to a large extent. The lower middle class and low class have got a chance to vent their anger at this inequitable growth. The only reason for this malady is corruption which needs to be targeted for an inclusive growth.
very balanced analysis Mr. Karat ...
I think Mr. Karat has correctly pointed out one of the root cause of such massive corruption in the country. It's is a neo-liberal policies which have been followed by all government since 1990s behind the scams like 2G and KG. one should understand that the number 1,70, 000 crores is the loss to exchequer means the policies have been twisted in such a way so that these corporates would get the spectrum in cheap cost. Even in Case of KG basin which i am following very closely, i can say that Mr Ambani has got the huge benefits which if we calculate can go beyond 2G scam . conscious decision allowing gold plating of capital cost and allowing whole contract area as development area are two examples in KG gas scam which was done under NELP whose first line talks about liberalizing the Natural Gas Sector. So i am completely agree with Mr Karat.
First and foremost this is not the only movement of Urban Middle class as is spread by all political parties. Every citizen poor or non poor are taking part in this. Second you put the entire blame on Liberalisation, it may be true all systems can be corrupt by any means, but the fact is we need a impartial and judging body that look into it without prejudice. Third you did not clear what do you want except we also want a Strong Lok Pal, you have lost entire steam without telling what is required and how. Do you have your version of any Lok Pal please put it in public domain and ask for people comments.
Karat saying neo-liberal policies are responsible for corruption does not make it true. As we say in science, "correlation does not mean causation." Everybody is correlating corruption to their favorite cause and what is resulting is articles full of garbage. If somebody were to go back to the mid 1970s just to prior to the imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi, they will find that the papers were screaming to the roof tops even then as to how corruption has reached sky high. India was firmly non-liberal then in terms of economic policy.
While going for morning walk it was early hours about 4.30A.M .Darkness just before sunrise was a brilliant scope for some people who never hesitate to take away tree guards from road side thinking that nobody could see their unlawful act.Whom to be blamed ,the man stealing government property or,systemic failure of government.
The article seems to be promoting more of Communist Party's ideologies rather than give a neutral perspective on the core issue that is a 'Strong Anti-Corruption Law'. He gives specious reasoning about rampant corruption and identifies government's 'neo-liberal' policies as one of the root cause for it. In that case how would he explain the corruption, red tape and almost stagnant economic growth(~3.5%) during the License-Raj Era? The author also seems to be completely oblivious to the fact his so called 'petty corruption that citizens face in their daily lives' is source of much pain for them and certainly a huge obstacle to nation's economic growth when seen in totality.
That being said, he does bring out a very important point that "politics is being converted into a business, and business is conducted through politics" and thus an anti corruption bill need to fill in this gaping hole and not let corporates plunder our countries already constrained resources!
Thank you Mr. Karat for elucidating the causes of corruption in India in these days. As per a study conducted by the Centre for Social Sciences and Legal Research, Nagpur, the politicians, the bureaucrats, and the ministers are the most corrupt in India. It further shows that some of the corporates are corrupt but most of them are 'clean' and they are 'the buidlers of India'. The study shows that a vast majority of politicians are corrupt and they encourage corruption directly or indirectly. A politician cannot exist without indulging in some sort of corrupt practices. According to the study, the bureaucrats indulge in corrupt practices because they are 'all powerful',and there is a 'milieu of corruption in the society which encourages the bureaucrats to be corrupt'. The ministers are the most corrupt according to the study and the ministers of Congress and CPI(M) stand in the forefront in corrupt practices. The study also shows that the Congress and the CPI(M) often indulge in violence.
I fully agreed with the above article, especially 43% elected representatives were the most corrupt.We all can see in our local places that even a low level of elected president of panchayat having a multi brand new scorpio car and brand new houses of worth more than a crore. All these elected people are not even completed SSLC. Many highly educated younger peoples in india now searching for jobs. So now the present situation is middle class people is keep on going down to the hell and the politicians from top to low level,generate wealth by corrupting people's money for their future generations. Hence i strongly believe Jan lokpal Bill is a best medicine to start the treatment of corruption in the form of cancer And we have to change the present trend of political being converted into business and business conducted through political.
Shri Prakash Karat's analysis presents the true nature of the malaise. There is no point in the Government saying that a bill is now before the parliament and its standing committee the agitation for improvement on it should be withdrawn. As rightly pointed out there have been many instances in the past when agitations and strikes were organised, both outside the parliament and in various places including rural areas which made M.P.s sit up and look afresh on the points. In a democracy peaceful agitations and educating the public about the issues involved serves a dual purpose, One to feel the pulse of the general pubic reaction to the agitation and two make the members feel that they have the support of not only their ranks but in general also. It has been possible to make even ruling party revise and rethink on the issue. It is time that the government does not stand on formality and open up meaningful discussion with Team Anna and find a solution.
Corruption is inevitable in Capitalistic markets. We had let our economy gates open embracing Capitalism and many gained, in fact the whole nation gained and parallely Corruption too soared. Now even with an effective anti Corruption Law, Is it possible to weed out Corruption ? I believe we can contain Corruption only to some extent. Law to contain Corruption could be very effective but its implementation may not be effective. How can we be assured that Super Policing Authority doesn't get Corrupted ? We can make a Corruption free society not by policing alone but by instilling Ethos. Proper Ethos based Education could bring in desired changes but that isn't a quick solution.
Mr Karat dismisses Anna Hazare anti-corruption cause as a middle-class issue,despite the fact that it is supported by millions of Indians,including the poor eg delhi autorickshaw drivers. The poor are the ones most adversely affected by corruption. The way Mr Karat and his comrades seem put of touch with reality will make them more vulnerable to election losses such as in West Bengal. One of the reasons they lost was that the people were fed up with the corrupt practices of the communist party.
i would appreciate the view of Mr Karat who has very efficiently point out the key points which were left behind. He has successfully figure weather it is UPA govt or it was NDA corruption was major problem for a common man who is the main source of support for Mr Hazare. Apart form this i think one of the important issue which evry one is neglecting today or is unaware of the fact that who really is behind this huge corrupt is, Mr Karat rightly figure out towards the big business houses and corporates who are the key source behind all this.
I appreciate Mr. karat for bringing the issue of corporate corruption in public debate but it will be more commendable if he corrects his hyperopic vision and assist government in bringing the policies to deal with it with rather than blaming neo-liberal policies which has benefited at large.
Mr. Karat - Please! Corruption is a fact that all parties in India are happy to indulge in - and your party is no stranger to it. Stop trying to score political brownie points behind the mask of reasonable debate. And stay away from the anti corruption movement - an articulate politician can be the most destructive kind - you do disservice to the cause.
Yet another article by The Hindu from the Left's point of view in the last week. Mr. Karat and his party colleagues have the opportunity to discuss the points made about corruption by corporate India on the various contracts and have their views reflected in the proposed anti-corruption law. Mr Karat has struck a reasonable tone and it is hoped that there would be healthy debate from all sections of the Parliament for a strong and effective Lok Pal.
The decision the government has taken so far really mocks the public.Instead of making a strong anti corruption law government wants here a bill that freely allows the ministers and government employees to loot the public money.The elected representatives in Parliament think that people in India are fools and will believe whatever we say to them.
i think government and opposition parties should clear their stand
Thank you 'The Hindu' for publishing such a truthful article! It couldn't get truer than this.
This article is simply an exercise is finger pointing. Corruption exists in virtually all segments of the population. Mr Karat has no real interest in eradicating corruption. CPM has a major influence in trade unions. For his words to have any meaning, trade unions must stop protecting corrupt government employees. CPM must also eschew leaders who use violence and intimidation to extort money.
It seems Govt.(Mr.Pranab Mukarjee and Mr.Sibal)is playing with the fire. They are buying time to make supporters tired. Manmohan Singh seems has lost the control.
Time factor is unavoidable. Anna's team also must not be in illusion.
Prakash Karat has articulated the sentiments of the middle class people very well in his piece. Whereas we are righteous and indignant about the civil servants, judiciary and politicians regarding corruption, we tend to turn a blind eye when businessmen resort to corrupt means.
Without them, there is no scope for bureaucrats and politicians to engage in corruption. As a society, we seem to have different yardstick for different members of the society. This itself is a degeneration of values. Kudos to Prakash Karat for bringing out this subtle trend.
Shame on you Karat to try to score brownie points by fishing in muddy waters. Corruption is not confined to the Congress party. It cuts across all political parties and all layers of societies. There may be many waving the Tricolor and chanting slogans at Ramlila grounds also tainted by corruption. At a time when India's Parliamentary democratic system and legislation are being threatened by rigid street protests, all Parliamentarians, the media and sensible people of India should speak in one voice about the primacy of Parliament. Where is India headed if street mafia frame bills at Jantar Mantar and Ramlila grounds and demand through intimidation and highhandedness that Parliament pass their bill? I know this newspaper will not publish my comment. I don't care. I am not writing comments to get them published but I am writing just to let you know that there are contrarian views.
Please use SERVING PARTY they are not RULERS to use ruling party word. They are serving us.
I am not seeing this as only a middle-class movement. the corruption at the rural areas on the poor people are the worst effect. it happens because, they are the people who get benefits from the government welfare measures. a substantial percent of their benefit is taken as an advance by the officers to make the benefit available including health, education, food, shelter etc. I know it is not a direct payment but if these services would have reached them in the manner it is designed, the middle class population would have been much higher.. I think the people who really can not see the suffering of our people in the villages or cities living in extreme poverty and looking for a cut from them, they are not reliable. a strong action against is very important for the existence ...
Pre-liberalisation era - the source of corruption(scams) was mainly - bribing to get favorable treatment - for licenses by bending rules. Liberalisation - corruption took new and more virulent forms - public assets are getting looted - Policy is getting fixed - policy is up for sale! Change a policy to favour a particular company - the latest RIL Godavari as an example - or similar instances in 2G scam. Minister Fixing - have tata's minister or ambani's minister (accordingly get favorable treatment / symbiotic relation agent, Radias, rajas managing the democracy). New avenues for doing corruption got open. If not, new avenues are created, in the quest of maximizing profit. Rules and regulations (to offer a level playing field) are bend by the corporate /bureaucrats/politician nexus.
Mr. Karat has mentioned facts in his article in an impressive manner.The points raised by him are really informative. I would like to differ from him when he says that the movement against corruption is limited to urban middle class only.The exploited poor in rural India are more concerned with the movement launched by Mr. Anna.They are the real sufferers as they are denied the fruits of development by corrupt government officers ,officials and politicians. The second freedom struggle is more valid for them than urban middle class people.
"every major corruption scandal in the recent period, there was big business or corporate involved in the act of corrupting public servants" Mr. Karat could not be more wrong. He is missing the wood for the trees! The root of the problem is the need for business to get the job done after clearing huge cob web of Government rules and regulations some of them are century old . With the irrational licence permits mania permeating every level of the governance, Karat ought to realise that public corruption can be traced to Government intervention in the economy, all pervasive regulations and public servants discretion in applying them. Naturally the corruption is bred to circumvent rules. Mr. Karat will do well to talk about policy related sources of corruption rather than harping on wholly discredited communist ideologically driven criticism of capitalist and businessmen.
It may be called as a political cynicism,but any support to Anna by any political organization is truly doubtful.Taking the poll survey as written above,shows the mind of the general people. Though I respect Mr Karat,but as stated above I don't like any political organization in support to Anna,that's could be to gain some benefit.
There wouldn't be any need for Lokpal if in the general elections the option of voting 'non of the above' is added. Political parties would then be forced to put up only 'clean' candidates (or at least those without a criminal record!!) and the system will get cleansed automatically.
Frankly, it is well articulated opinion from Prakash Karat. I appreciate his effort. Here again i would like to add development from big business is necesssary. But big business corruption can be controlled if political parties and parliment represented by policitical parties involved in policy making remember that they are represented by common public and not represented by those big business. To make them accountable, we need a strong lokpal which first targets these people representative instead of big business. Most of the time any illegal activity can be removed swiftly by top down approach instead of bottom up approach. I also agree only top down approach is not enough, it should be followed by bottom up approach to kill corruption so that it corruption can be cured for long time. Still revisiting this approach is required often with changing time. This is followed in any organisation to withstand changing time.
I beg to disagree. Corruption was prevalent even before the opening up of the economy. Then it was related to public spending or public institutions (Remember Bofors?) and 'petty' corruption of public officials involving common citizens. The public actors remain the same even now. The difference is that on the other side, instead of just 'common man' there are now big corporates. So why blame the corporates? The politicians and officials can blame corporates and 'common man' for paying up, and get away with all the goodies, that's why. Karat's angst is understandable. It is the reluctance to face the truth that politicians have fuelled corruption for decades irrespective of party. And this is classic leftist position that if people have moved up to become 'middle class' they are now monsters. Should we all remain perpetually poor? We need both big business and a corruption free system. That's what the fight is for
This article has rightly raised the key issues responsible for corruption in this country.There is a great nexus between Politicians & Industrialists otherwise the size of all scandals can not be so big. Since 1991, the wings of malpractices by the business houses has increased drastically but hardly any action had been taken against them . This has always given the wrong message to society either.
On 2G spectrum allocation, Mr. Karat is wrong. In fact, there is no loss to the exchequer. Karat's party claims to represent the poor, downtrodden, peasants and working class of this country. Let him honestly say that had the spectrum been auctioned, whether the mobile phone would have reached to these vast sections of the country. Can he quantify the economic impact of these mobile revolution happened in India? Is he not aware that from a mere 3 crore mobile connections in 2004,it has gone upto 32 crores in 2007 and, then from 32 crores to 72 crores in 2011? For political reasons, Mr. Karat has been telling the 2G spectrum allocation as SCAM. Can he tell,on the same reasoning,that there is a big scam in Fertilizer Subsidy, Kerosene pricising, LPG pricing,etc.? Can he boldly say that the tax assesses should not be given subsidised LPG cylinder? The TRAI has yesterday made it clear to CBI that 2G spectrum allocation from 2001 to 2008 was not a revenue generation measure.
Why is that a party's ideology being put forward as an end to corruption? Blaming corruption on the liberalised economy is a narrow approach. Remember the corrupt licence-raj before liberalisation?
We need to weed out the incentive of corruption and effectively punish offenders.
Dear Mr. Karat: Your article is very silent about the danger that is posed by the present agitation to our democratic institutions. Perhaps, you are forgetting the fact that both EMS and AKG have always stated that they will fight within the Parliamentary Democracy system prevalent in India. This agitation is against the parliamentary democratic system that we have nurtured for the past 65 years. Perhaps, you are also forgetting the fact that it was only in India that a communist government was elected through ballots in 1957. It has not happened anywhere in the world till now. We have an opportunity, i.e., the next parliamentary elections to punish the UPA2 for their worngdoings and we have done it in the past. Remember what happened in 1977 after the Emergency? India is a country with 120 crore people and not just some urbanites who can speak Oxford English. Team Anna has no right to challenge our parliamentary democracy system and it should not be encouraged.
The article totally misrepresents the fact that the upper-middle classes are the key source of support for Anna. Fact of the matter is, those are the classes that have only seen Anna on TV or on the Internet; it is lower-middle classes and poorer people that have thronged Anna's venue as well as held rallies around the country. Further, the survey conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies was not an phone interview; it was not confined to the middle classes (as Karat tries to portray here). It was a general survey, and the support to Anna is phenomenal--and it is not only a class issue. Muslim organizations have also supported Anna openly.
All non-congress political parties have fallen in the trap of Congress. Congress has cleverly diverted the issue as "Political Parties Vs Team Anna" by arranging All-Party Meet.If something goes wrong Congress will use this All-Party Meet as shield.
We Indians are badly diseased by corruption at the moment.So we are ready to drink any drug which has the lebel 'anti-corruption' .We do not care even if this drug turns more dangerous than the disease we are suffering now. This is a situation of real concern than the corruption itself.
After awaiting for long, we all have benefited from a wonderful piece of writing by Prakash Karat, which has hit the nail of corruption on the head, by unearthing the real source of unbridled corruption sweeping our country for long. Even the cursory glance at the report of the 'Transparency International', USA, on chronology of corruption and illegal, black money stashed away in foreign banks from India, points out unmistakably to exponential growth in volumes of such money since the launching of neo-liberal policy in our country in 1991. I think, even Prasant Bhusan, eminent lawyer of the Anna team, had concurred in the recent past (on television channels) on neo-liberalism and privatisation of public assets being the fountainhead of all corruption in India. Mr. Karat is absolutely right in finding the essential link between corruption, corporate loot and neo-liberalism in India. Eminent social activists like Anna Hazare will do a yeoman's duty if they donot miss this important link.
A very interesting article. Initally, i thought it would be the same rhetoric thats been going on these days about Anna Hazare and the lokapl. But what struck me in this article is the author's unique view of the issue of corruption. Yes, we all know the corporate big businesses are hand in glove with the politicians to get their goose cooked. Something that we missed was the attitude of the people, esp as the author put it, the middle class society spearheading this movement. Isnt it true, How many times have the people really gone to the root of the problem to solve it? All we ever wanted was someone to drop from the skies to magically wave his wand and make it all disappear. Even now, there is a chance for the people to get truly enlightened on the true cause of corruption, politicians, bureaucrats and corporate houses are only big branches of the corruption tree,but ask yourself, Where or who is the root?
Mr Karat is no-nonsense political leader.His formidable efforts in restricting the blind rush for the Indo-US nuclear deal is green in the minds of the people.Now he is interested in effective Lokpal.Hopefully he would muster strength for and guide the drafting of an effective Lokpal.He should do his best to see that the Jan Lokpal encompasses an effective mechanism to implement its decisions without at the same time becoming a power greater than the Parliament and the prime minister,judiciary and other pillars of the government. Obviously this seems to be a catch-22 situation of the ongoing agitations.May I suggest this:the President is the ultimate authority for disposing mercy petitions.Likewise the President should be made the ultimate authority to execute certain drastic decisions of the proposed Lokpal like action against the incumbent prime minister and similar decisions affecting the stability of the nation.A purposeful and fair involvement of legal luminaries is awaited
'Kettle calling the pot, black' kind of opportunity politics is not what Indians need. They need a system of Governance which is transparent and accountable by international standards. The baton change from one ruling class to another has not proved that the country's governance style had improved in the last 65 years! There has to be policies and procedures in place to follow and failing to do so must attract serious personal and political outcome for the negligent. Only then the country will have any hope of coming out of the mire of corruption and inefficiency.
There are two kinds of corruption: the one where is of the rent seeking govt officials, and second is non-govt entities bribing to get their way. The rent seeking is what most people are affected by. Lokpal is not effective against this kind because it is so decentralized, with so many people involved and small sums being transacted. The only solution to this is minimizing people to govt contact, and automate as much of govt service delivery as possible: the computers don't seek rent or bribe. Replacing of subsidies with direct cash transfers coupled with UID scheme is one such approach.
The second case of active bribing, lokpal should be able to act on. In cases of bribing, there typically is a losing party who can complain to the lokpal initiating proceedings.
This is a brilliant article which analyzes the present political drama.As pointed by Karat,most of the middle class people are fixed to a mind set that the word 'corruption' is associated with only government officials,but hardly a few people know that there are businessmen and industrialists included in the loop of corruption.Adding to Mr.Karat's point,how many of us know that its we ,who are generating a part of black money by paying bribes and evading taxes.Is that going to stop once Lokpal bill is tabled?People must be educated about the roots of corruption otherwise no bill can save India from the clutches of corruption.
None of the major political parties have clarified their stand on specific provisions and scope of bill. There is a generation gap in what political class is perceiving as rigid demands and what people want from legislature. As yet, both government and political parties have been a big disappointment. The government should present Jan Lokpal draft in House at the earliest and all the changes and debate can be done there for final consensus on bill. There is no point of any other form of discussion on this.
It is nice to see some politician give his frank opinion on Corruption. Agreed that all the recent high level scams involves corporate babus. But it is worth introspecting why in the first place a corporate babu pays a bribe to a politician. They would not want to pay a bribe, but due to red-tap-ism in our bureaucracy that is forcing them to pay bribe. Assume a situation when there are well established guidelines for everything that happens right from Auctions to awarding contracts to the firms. If the government (both Delhi government as well the UPA government) had been more transparent in their procedures in the first place the whole CWG scam would have not happened. IF they had a check as soon as the expenditure overshoot the budget by 10% (say) the nation would have not had so much losses.
It is good to see better sense prevailing in Communist echelon. Earlier the Communists went whole hog in supporting the invidious casteist quotas and the people now had a fear that quota mindset may make them anti-Anna who is struggling to unite the divided Indians. It is tragic that one elderly man is risking his life for all of us. My heart beats for Annaji.
Mr.Arun: I agree with your point that living standards of middle class have improved a lot after liberalisation,but I think this has no meaning at all when almost half of the Indians live in abject poverty. India is estimated to have a third of the world's poor and according to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 41.6% of the total Indian population falls below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25 a day (PPP, in nominal terms INR 21.6 a day in urban areas and INR 14.3 in rural areas).
Well said and placed.Nobody will oppose improvement in the bill in Parliament,but, general people expect that a right type of bill be introduced in parliament. Mr.Karat enjoys faith of many people as an honest politician.He is expected to do his best to break this impasse.
This article explains very well about why and what should we need effective and strong lokpall bill. This article clearly explains corruption at high level and what steps need to be taken. This article explains how goverment has failed to recognise the importnant points while drafting Lokpal bill. I completely agree with the points raised in this article. I wonder how, an intellectual like Arundhati Roy missed all these points and only see negative side of everything
A very good analysis of the situations prevailing in the Country,the persons responsible for creating the situation and the socalled Lawmakers allowing that situation to persist with impunity.
Why Anna’s movement will fail. The Dice are loaded against the movement as the Congress party in tandem with BJP are in secret understanding to ensure that no anti-corruption measures come on the statute books. WHY And HOW? The congress has purposely proposed this weak anti corruption law which (even with new amendments) will have a specifically weak and obnoxious clause which it will force through in the Lok Sabha knowing full well that it will fail muster in the BJP dominated Rajya Sabha--->THUS ENSURING THAT THE BILL WILL ONCE AGAIN DIE.All this is deep strategy as an Anti-corruption bill which is strong will obviously first hit the Congress party and its corrupt bosses and potentially expose their huge corrupt holdings etc and knowing this all too well they cannot and will not allow such a bill to become a reality. It is not possible that the BJP does not understand this so they are obviously in cahoots either because of a threat that there own corrupt deals will be exposed or because they are being suitably rewarded.
Thank you for publihing the views of the CP(M) General Secretary,Shri Prakash Karat on the Gandhiaan struggle of Shri Hazare to find a solution to the burning question of rampant corruption in our governments at all levels, which has polluted, profaned and pralyzed our society,and deprived our people of enjoying the blessed benefits of democracy which people in western countries enjoy without hindrances,and which make their lives rewarding. I appreciate the support to this cause,which he gives at the end of his article,after a lengthy analysis of the problem. However, I have difficulty to understand his opposition to the quite legitimate right of citizens to 'blame all politicians' for this disaster.Who else is to blame? How is it to "hold Parliament in contempt" to demand a deadline for legislation to stop this evil? After the negative view against Hazareji's fast by Ms.Arundathi Roy ,in your August 21st issue,this article was a relief. "We shall overcome some day."
Karat is basically pushing his agenda or is able to see the world only through CPI-M's viewpoint. 1. It doesn't look like an exclusive urban middle-class movement. There is a representation from other sections as well. Even if it is not so, let them be thankful - as if the only the rural areas are awakened by media coverage, this wave will become a tsunami. Because, they are the most affected by corruption. 2. As for setting unilateral deadlines - it is certainly not about attacking democratic values. This came about because of the dishonesty and insincerity of the government actions. Asking for a timeline is definitely one way of trying to ensure that the govt. puts in sincere efforts. 3. And as for the perception of 43% saying politicans are corrupt and only 3% saying businessmen are corrupt - that is because govt. has control over the fountainhead transactions and hence becomes the fountainhead of corruption. (This is not to say it should be free market either.)
It has been seen recently that common public has no role to play in indian democracy an authoritarian power is siting in the centre and deciding what is rihgt and wrong for every one. Comman men is just a cog in the wheel of Indian democracy. Government and other opposition political parties are just like the same. They all know if an strong law will be passed they will come under ambit of that law. It is clear that these politicians are just working for saivng their privileges, they are trying every possible course of action to protect them self from anger and agitation of common masses. Indina executive think common public as fool and them self as decider of faith of this country. The days are not far when these politicians will eat this country like anything. These people in white are the blood sucker of common public. It has been seen first time in history of India that common masses are rising against these corrupt people, but i see movment will collapse very soon.
I find Mr. Hazare's "proposal for an independent agency with sweeping powers and its own vast, nationwide bureaucracy operating outside the usual checks of India's democracy deeply disturbing. As Ms. Arundhati Roy (with whom I rarely agree) has noted, a draconian anticorruption law, in which a panel of chosen people will administer a giant bureaucracy, with thousands of employees, with the power to police the prime minister, the judiciary, members of Parliament, and all the bureaucracy, down to the lowest government official. Who will make sure that the new bureaucracy of Lokayukta will be any less corrupt than those whom it is supposed to police?
Hazare's emphasis on creating a super-policing agency is too simplistic at best and sinister at worst. The gangs that seem to blindly worship this man remind me of Nazis. Totalitarian government run by an unelected, unaccountable, Lokayukta is not a viable way to eradicate corruption. What is needed is a change of attitude and culture at the grassroots level to expose, shame, and eventually bring to justice those who are corrupt. But this needs to be done within the democratic framework of the Indian constitution. Hazare's followers, if they are indeed serious about eradicating corruption, should start by practicing what they preach: refuse to give or receive bribes; pay their share of taxes; and get their friends and family members to do the same.
While I agree with the points made by Mr.Karat about the Nexus being present, let us think about it from this point also that if years of conditioning have taught big businesses to pay corrupt politicians and then only find a way to get their work done, knowing India's very lauded entrepreneurial spirit, doesn't he think that they would now have tried to benefit from that very act and those are the huge scams we are talking about? Just an alternate spin on things because I do still support Anna Hazare but wish the Jan Lokpal Bill is some thing which does for India what the ICAC did for Hong Kong
The article succintly puts a bullet into the head of the 'so called' second freedom movement touted by urban 'educated' middle class. The social or political system is simply a reflection of the people who constitue them. It is the nonchalance and indifference of the people over the years that has caused the damage to democratic systems any where in the world. While the awakening of 'urban middle class' has come very late...nevertheless it has come. But it seems they want to have the cake and eat it too...Think of a scenario if no one votes any of the 'usual' politician just because he/she is belonging to their caste/ religiion/ race. The point being, if you are blaming the system, it actually came from you. Are we game that hereafter to make a hell of a noise whenever a policeman/ offical in any level of government asks for a bribe for doing his duties? When a hospital/ educational institution try to suck your blood just you need their essential services but not pay capitation? Think
It is politician who have created such image in heart of people that they are now getting wrath of public. Even if businessmen indulge in scam is it not duty of politician to safeguard nation's interest from those.Parliament is highest authority hence its responsibility to safeguard India is also highest. it has to do something pioneer so it can again get respect from people,and democracy remain intact.
After eight days of the fast by Anna Hazare, the government has bowed down to public pressure and initiated talks with the representatives of the Hazare group. This is a welcome development. Hopefully, this will lead to a fresh or modified bill that can pave the way for an effective Lokpal....
>>and only 3 per cent thought businessmen and industrialists were the most corrupt.
That would make the middle class a perfect joke? Are they blind or what or they must be reading TOI? All these multi million scams - beneficiaries are corporates (politicians/govt employees benefited very little). Corporates are the most corrupt section / who are looting our country.
IAC supporters assume that the corporates are not corrupt or believe that corporates have the right to be corrupt? When Ambani loots the public money worth 45000 crores in KG Basin case and builds a 27 storied Antilla - he is looting the huge money which should have gone to the poor, the dalits, the downtrodden. While they twist corruption to make it as if the 100 Rupees the poor has to bribe is the only loss, they are forcefully turning their eyes from the fact that Ambani/BALCO/ etc. Sellouts took crores and crores in their pockets. These are corruption to make more profits.
Sir , As a comman(wo)man of India and a citizen who is shamed by the lack of good faith demonstrated by a headless UPA, I would be very thankful for a LEADER from the political class for a STRONG, Robust and enforceable Lokpal Bill to be passed in both houses of parliament at the soonest. WE NEED A POLITICAL CHAMPION. Mr. Karat are you willing to be one for those that have been wronged over the past 64 years by a political system that has grown increasingly arrogant and tyrannical?
The prime minister is reported to have admitted that the government is in a bind. The last ten days developments of back channel discussions and negotiations with the civil society activists by the finance minister give a definite indication that efforts at bringing an effective LokPal bill appear to have been successfully stalled, more by the negative forces at play behind the scenes than by the seemingly rigid stance adopted by Team Anna. Even though the country has loudly said enough is enough, the government's attitude is outrageous and seems, it will remain to be so,until things get fully out of control.
Notwithstanding the white washing seen in this article, the main reason behind this surge of support for Anna has been missed out. The successive govts whether in the centre or in the state have not acted fair and have not been seen to act fair as well to tackle corruption. Even in the long term communist states of West Bengal and Kerala, corruption has not been eradicated. Irrespective of political colour and the leanings, whether left, right or centre, politicians have let the people so down that people don't take their words seriously at all. And that is a failure of the political class. In addition, the political class is perceived to be self serving in that they unite across the spectrum just for once cause - to raise their salaries - and always squabble over any matter of public interest.
I appreciate the way you have described the aspects. It is a debate prevailing over the last two decades over the gates for corruption opened due to the neo-liberalisation policies. Well in my view, undoubtedly they need reforms. But alongwith I do want to make a point, rather a doubt, on the condition prevailing in present policies.. My doubt is about the misappropriation of funds and corruption in tenders.. Most of the money laundered is done during the process of distributing these tenders.. A huge sum of money is passed under the table to officials even in the smallest tender. Now, i feel that with that much capital, the company would've easily got the tender through the legal procedure. So why corruption? Sir, I see misconduct and malusage of the powers by the govt. executives at the start of this era as the reason behind this. The powers conferred to them has made them believe that they may easily seep through.
The communists of India can be criticized for being out of touch with today's world and for being ideologically rigid, but they are a source of some upright politicians. In that spirit they are an important part of Indian democracy, as in their commitment to the poor, which led to a pro-poor tilt in the first UPA govt. But to suggest, as Mr. Karat does, that the neo-liberal policies are responsible for the corruption faced by the common man is absurd. It is only another sign of their obduracy. Of course it is about Class struggles for them, and when the bourgeois might help them win a few more votes, they can be praised, albeit half-heartedly. The answer to corruption in high places is not revocation of reforms but greater reforms, more transparency and meaningful regulation. If India is to provide a better life for its citizenry, economic growth is imperative with the poor benefitting too. This should not be a simple, ideological debate but a nuanced consideration of ideas for growth
1. Undoubtedly the major beneficiaries of corruption are businesses - the larger the size, the greater the opportunities. Devices include accounting / ownership structure / legal contract manipulations, transfer pricing, royalty, evading taxes of all kinds, (tax planning/avoidance permitted through over relaxed laws), hoarding/investing black money, money laundering, tax havens, etc. But the effects of corporate corruption are not usually felt in the daily lives of the ordinary citizens (except eg for sales tax evasion, non-issue of invoice and invoicing manipulation).
2. Effects of public sector bribery on the other hand are not only felt many times every day, but also every single experience involves extortion, harassment, unpleasantness. 3. Unless the people in power put their own house in order, how can they lead the effort to clean-up the country? Hence, unfortunately, the clean up has to start with them. 4. Private sector clean up, and other injustices should be addressed next.
I agree with the author's point of view. People indeed do not see that all the recent big scams involve corporate-politician-bureaucrat combination. Leaving corporates out of Lokpal doesn't make any sense. But, can we trust that this Parliament can give us such a strong Lokpal? I do not think so because many of the MPs themselves are crorepatis and are from corporate houses! For this to happen, we need to keep up the pressure on this UPA government. Along with the author, I'm hopeful too!
Well said Karat.I hope parties including.CPM which Karat represents should make it a priority to build the country based on a rule of law.If any particular law is objectionable civil disobedience should be the last method.
However on other things shouldn't we see things a bit holistically? While corruption may have definitely increased, the quality of life of middle class as well as poor have increased significantly.Poverty has decreased in the neo liberal regime without any doubt.The GDP growth % may be a poor indicator for real growth of people but it is much better than what happened till 1991.Can Karat give a convincing answer on why we should throw away the baby along with water.
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