Let us take a quick look at the recent happenings in the Jan Lokpal imbrogolio.
Justice (Retd.) Santosh Hegde has submitted his Report as Lokayukta of Karnataka on corruption in that state. This has resulted in the Chief Minister putting in his resignation.
Hon’ble Justice Dinakaran, the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, has put in his resignation as impeachment proceedings were initiated against him for alleged corruption.
These are just two current examples of how even the existing structures are in a position to meaningfully contribute in tackling corruption.
The Jan Lokpala Bill as cleared by the Cabinet, though not perfect and not even to the satisfaction of the ‘so called’ self appointed leaders of the Civil Society, still appears to be a big step forward from the existing position. These Civil Society members want a perfect law to be drafted and passed, and they feel that what they have drafted is perfect.
The insistence of the Perfectionist Group to have the bill that they have suggested passed by 15th August 2011, without any change, otherwise they will go on hunger strike is not a reasonable stand. Heavens will not fall if the Parliamentary procedure takes a few days or weeks more. Let us respect the parliamentary procedures.
One would like to like to request the perfectionists not to tinker with the constitutional and legal processes of the country. Let the legal process take its course and Parliament decide. This is the democratic way. There is no validity in the argument that the members of the Parliament have lost touch with their voters and there is a ‘big disconnect’. This argument cannot be taken to short circuit the constitutional processes. This can be tested only at the time of the next General Elections. In the next General Elections let the Civil Society members and the Political Parties make this as an issue and request people to vote for or against it.
Let the Bill be deliberated and say passed by the Parliament and we watch its implementation for a short while. One could consider putting a clause in the Act that there shall be a compuslory Review of the working of the Institution of Jana Lokpal after every 5 years so that issues needing intervention could be addressed.
No Mr. Anna Hazare, I am not with you for your proposed fast on 16th August.
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