Is Lokpal bill the answer to India's biggest problem – “corruption”??
The answer may not be too obvious at this point of time. What's obvious though, is "it's a start". Well, something is always better than nothing. In order to comment on whether Lokpal bill is answer to our country's problems, one should first know what Lokpal bill really is. Lokpal bills were introduced several times since 1968, yet they were never passed by the Indian Parliament. After a fast by veteran social activist “Anna Hazare” and widespread protests by citizens across India the Government of India constituted a 10-member Joint Committee of ministers and civil society activists to draft an effective Jan Lokpal Bill. The Jan Lokpal Bill is a proposed anti-corruption law designed to effectively deter corruption, redress grievances and protect whistleblowers. The law would create an ombudsman called the Lokpal; this would be an independent body similar to the Election Commission of India with the power to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without prior government permission. It's members will be appointed by judges, Indian Administrative Service officers with a clean record, private citizens and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process. Corruption in India, as we know, is a perfectly organised "process". Infact, it deserves "six sigma" certificate! It starts from the top and goes down according to the lowest level of our political hierarchy. The citizens of our country are so used to it nowadays, as if it were legally a part of the system. We have umpteen capital lying wasted in foreign banks as "Black money", thanks to this organised sector of corruption. Lokpal bill comes as a ray of hope for our country and its "shackled" economy. There are many apprehensions associated with the bill such as, who will keep a check on the Lokpal members? Will the members be able to make any significant impact? etc. etc. All these questions can be asked only when the Lokpal bill passes and it is quite evident that it is going to have a hard time doing just that. After all, it’s our "sincere" bureaucrats who are the source of this parasitic problem of corruption.
Whatever be the fate of the bill, I and many others like me, see it as a silver lining and we are here to support anyone who wants to tackle the problem of corruption and help India prosper like she really deserves.
Nice Read!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to mention one concern that, I feel is relevant here. Lokpal bill may emerge as parallel mechanism to parliamentary system. Also, we are good at making strategies but poor at implementation. I am sure that even if lokpal bill passes through parliament, implementation of it will be a herculean task. One will surprise to know that withdrawing of black money from Swiss banks increased and this shows positive signs for lokpal bill.
However, you have rightly mentioned that its real hope and I wish it happens before another jasmine revolution.
Keep writing!!
Biren Gandhi