The Public perception is that there is a coalition between the bureaucrats, politicians and industrialists, which is robbing the nation of its vital natural resources.For long, the common man has been reconciled to our feudal form of democracy, where 'netas' were the new lords of all that they surveyed. Corruption at the top was accepted among all political parties.As for corruption in the states, the less said the better. One would have to conduct a huge survey to conclude as to which state is at the top of the ladder of corruption.
Corruption was a global phenomenon. That was and remains an absolutely truthful statement.The day-to-day life of the ordinary citizen is free from extortion that an average Indian faces every day.It is this criminal extortion faced by the common man that has made life hell in India. If you want to renew your passport, you meet the touts outside the passport office. They ensure that your job is done on time -- for a price. Go into any office dealing with the public, be it the police or municipal administration, anywhere in India, nothing gets done unless you pay a price.
Electoral politics in India has become an industry by itself. You spend money to get elected and indulge in making big money. People find our administration hardly responsive.The country has a distinguished economist as its Prime Minister. He is surrounded by an array of other brilliant economists. Yet, all of them together, are unable to control the price rise and increasing inflation.The issue of Lok Pal is a symptom of the growing anger that the people of India have towards the 'Government' - both at the Central and State levels.The Right to Information Act has done some good, but more is needed.
The government needs to consider the kind of administrative reforms that can make the civil servants responsive and accountable and become what they are meant to be: "public servants". There is nothing for the common men in the Lok Pal.I think if the politicians are even 5 percent serious of getting rid of corruption than the wise thing will be to go ahead with the Anna's version of the JanLokpal Bill and to make CBI completely independent and have tough laws to protect whistle blowers.
Corruption was a global phenomenon. That was and remains an absolutely truthful statement.The day-to-day life of the ordinary citizen is free from extortion that an average Indian faces every day.It is this criminal extortion faced by the common man that has made life hell in India. If you want to renew your passport, you meet the touts outside the passport office. They ensure that your job is done on time -- for a price. Go into any office dealing with the public, be it the police or municipal administration, anywhere in India, nothing gets done unless you pay a price.
Electoral politics in India has become an industry by itself. You spend money to get elected and indulge in making big money. People find our administration hardly responsive.The country has a distinguished economist as its Prime Minister. He is surrounded by an array of other brilliant economists. Yet, all of them together, are unable to control the price rise and increasing inflation.The issue of Lok Pal is a symptom of the growing anger that the people of India have towards the 'Government' - both at the Central and State levels.The Right to Information Act has done some good, but more is needed.
The government needs to consider the kind of administrative reforms that can make the civil servants responsive and accountable and become what they are meant to be: "public servants". There is nothing for the common men in the Lok Pal.I think if the politicians are even 5 percent serious of getting rid of corruption than the wise thing will be to go ahead with the Anna's version of the JanLokpal Bill and to make CBI completely independent and have tough laws to protect whistle blowers.
