Saturday, 3 May 2014
Friday, 19 August 2011
Bill for a strong Lokpal needs a big push
Way back in January, long before Anna Hazare or his campaign for an effective Lokpal became subjects of household discussion, The Times of India had started to push for a relevant and strong anti-corruption law. This was in the backdrop of a series of scams that had shaken the people’s faith in our ability to build a transparent, fair, and just society. We wanted to channel anger and frustration into positive energy for change. This is why, TOI was the first publication to have come out in support of the Bill drafted by Team Anna.
The support, extended through a four-part series on the Bill, was not so much for the fine print as for its bid to reposition the Lokpal from a toothless advisory body to a high-powered and independent agency dealing with public servants of all categories. The Lokpal is necessary and desirable. There is no truly autonomous or empowered body at present to deal with corruption cases involving the political class and the bureaucracy.
The radical experiment of the Lokpal Bill being drafted jointly by the government and civil society has already exceeded expectations. Far from proving to be anti-democratic or counter-productive, Anna Hazare’s Jantar Mantar fast has forced the government to get serious about the anti-corruption law that has been pending for the last 45 years. Despite all the acrimony, there is a grudging acknowledgement from the ministers in the joint drafting committee that this rather dramatic form of pre-legislative consultation has not been in vain. “Our Bill would not have been as good as this. The collaborative effort has given a better Bill,” Salman Khurshid admitted.
The new government draft is very different from the Bill drafted six months ago by the law ministry which had proposed that the Lokpal should be just a recommendatory body of three members, dealing exclusively with political corruption. Now the government version says the Lokpal should be an 11-member body duly empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption cases, not just against politicians but also bureaucrats. In a bid to ensure its autonomy, the government has agreed that the Lokpal would have its own dedicated police force and would require no sanction for investigations.
Still, what we hear more are the divergences. This is not surprising because in any high-stake negotiation the areas of divergence get more attention than the points of convergence. On divergences, the government does not seem to have thought through all its positions. For instance, it has not been able to make a case for why the CBI, despite being notoriously prone to political manipulations, should not be merged with the Lokpal.
We here look at the proposed structure of the Lokpal, its autonomy, its accountability and areas where there are differences between Team Anna and the government. TOI also gives its own view on these areas. We will closely follow the Lokpal Bill as it moves to the Cabinet and from there to Parliament. Indeed, we will continue to do so until there is a strong anti-corruption law.
The support, extended through a four-part series on the Bill, was not so much for the fine print as for its bid to reposition the Lokpal from a toothless advisory body to a high-powered and independent agency dealing with public servants of all categories. The Lokpal is necessary and desirable. There is no truly autonomous or empowered body at present to deal with corruption cases involving the political class and the bureaucracy.
The radical experiment of the Lokpal Bill being drafted jointly by the government and civil society has already exceeded expectations. Far from proving to be anti-democratic or counter-productive, Anna Hazare’s Jantar Mantar fast has forced the government to get serious about the anti-corruption law that has been pending for the last 45 years. Despite all the acrimony, there is a grudging acknowledgement from the ministers in the joint drafting committee that this rather dramatic form of pre-legislative consultation has not been in vain. “Our Bill would not have been as good as this. The collaborative effort has given a better Bill,” Salman Khurshid admitted.
The new government draft is very different from the Bill drafted six months ago by the law ministry which had proposed that the Lokpal should be just a recommendatory body of three members, dealing exclusively with political corruption. Now the government version says the Lokpal should be an 11-member body duly empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption cases, not just against politicians but also bureaucrats. In a bid to ensure its autonomy, the government has agreed that the Lokpal would have its own dedicated police force and would require no sanction for investigations.
Still, what we hear more are the divergences. This is not surprising because in any high-stake negotiation the areas of divergence get more attention than the points of convergence. On divergences, the government does not seem to have thought through all its positions. For instance, it has not been able to make a case for why the CBI, despite being notoriously prone to political manipulations, should not be merged with the Lokpal.
We here look at the proposed structure of the Lokpal, its autonomy, its accountability and areas where there are differences between Team Anna and the government. TOI also gives its own view on these areas. We will closely follow the Lokpal Bill as it moves to the Cabinet and from there to Parliament. Indeed, we will continue to do so until there is a strong anti-corruption law.
Caught in a bind, Capt turns guns on Akalis
CHANDIGARH: Caught in a bind over his party-led UPA government's mishandling of Anna issue and mindful of its effect on the coming assembly elections, PPCC chief Amarinder Singh has decided to go on the offensive in his party's defence by turning the guns on Akalis.
Anna will feel ashamed of Akali's support,'' he said, dismissing Akali's protest dharnas against corruption, across the state on Friday.
However, when asked whether UPA's mishandling of the episode would have an adverse effect on party's prospects in the coming assembly elections, he first fumbled for words and then decided to go into a detailed explanation of the phenomenon.
"Anna is a symbol of fight against corruption in the country and he is getting mass support because people are fed up of corruption. But, the question here is whether he has a right to put up his own Jan Lokpal Bill or is it the prerogative of the Parliament to make bills,'' he explained.
Amarinder denied that his party would suffer from any adverse effect from the episode, since it is a corrupt SAD-BJP government in the state, which is trying to support Anna's movement. They talk about 2-Gs and 3-Gs, whereas they have themselves indulged in corruption of 4G and 5G levels,'' he said, mocking the SAD protests.
Admitting that he was yet to read the Right to Services Act, introduced by the SAD-BJP government, Amarinder tried to play down the issue saying that right to services was always there in the state in the form of government services or the Suvidha centres which were later introduced.
"The only addition is that this Act has provisions for penalizing officers. But then, I can say for sure, that no officer would ever get penalized, as they would come out with some claim or reason to explain delay in providing service.''
Notably, SAD president, Sukhbir Badal has been claiming that the bill would be a panacea for corruption.
Asked whether he planned to do away with the bill if he became the CM, Amarinder said, I haven't read the Act, but if it does not suit Punjab, we would repeal it. In case it suits, we can continue with it.''
Anna will feel ashamed of Akali's support,'' he said, dismissing Akali's protest dharnas against corruption, across the state on Friday.
However, when asked whether UPA's mishandling of the episode would have an adverse effect on party's prospects in the coming assembly elections, he first fumbled for words and then decided to go into a detailed explanation of the phenomenon.
"Anna is a symbol of fight against corruption in the country and he is getting mass support because people are fed up of corruption. But, the question here is whether he has a right to put up his own Jan Lokpal Bill or is it the prerogative of the Parliament to make bills,'' he explained.
Amarinder denied that his party would suffer from any adverse effect from the episode, since it is a corrupt SAD-BJP government in the state, which is trying to support Anna's movement. They talk about 2-Gs and 3-Gs, whereas they have themselves indulged in corruption of 4G and 5G levels,'' he said, mocking the SAD protests.
Admitting that he was yet to read the Right to Services Act, introduced by the SAD-BJP government, Amarinder tried to play down the issue saying that right to services was always there in the state in the form of government services or the Suvidha centres which were later introduced.
"The only addition is that this Act has provisions for penalizing officers. But then, I can say for sure, that no officer would ever get penalized, as they would come out with some claim or reason to explain delay in providing service.''
Notably, SAD president, Sukhbir Badal has been claiming that the bill would be a panacea for corruption.
Asked whether he planned to do away with the bill if he became the CM, Amarinder said, I haven't read the Act, but if it does not suit Punjab, we would repeal it. In case it suits, we can continue with it.''
Human chain in Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park to support Anna Hazare
PUNE: Thousands of information technology professionals working in Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park on Thursday formed a 500-metre-long human chain to extend support to social crusader Anna Hazare's indefinite fast to press for a strong Lokpal Bill.
Around 5,000 IT professionals, including a large number of women working in various small and big IT companies in phases I, II, III and IV of Hinjewadi IT Park, gathered at the Infosys circle in phase I around 3 pm. They sang the national anthem and raised slogans in support of Hazare. They formed the human chain by standing in rows along both sides of the road from Infosys circle to Edwinis circle.
Around 5,000 IT professionals, including a large number of women working in various small and big IT companies in phases I, II, III and IV of Hinjewadi IT Park, gathered at the Infosys circle in phase I around 3 pm. They sang the national anthem and raised slogans in support of Hazare. They formed the human chain by standing in rows along both sides of the road from Infosys circle to Edwinis circle.
Around 5,000 IT professionals, including a large number of women working in various small and big IT companies in phases I, II, III and IV of Hinjewadi IT Park, gathered at the Infosys circle in phase I around 3 pm. They sang the national anthem and raised slogans in support of Hazare. They formed the human chain by standing in rows along both sides of the road from Infosys circle to Edwinis circle.
Around 5,000 IT professionals, including a large number of women working in various small and big IT companies in phases I, II, III and IV of Hinjewadi IT Park, gathered at the Infosys circle in phase I around 3 pm. They sang the national anthem and raised slogans in support of Hazare. They formed the human chain by standing in rows along both sides of the road from Infosys circle to Edwinis circle.
Designers support Anna Hazare's cause
Designers support Anna Hazare's cause
Designers at the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) may be consumed by the fashion extravaganza but they haven't deviated from their duty as citizens of India .
They are going all out in expressing their support for the anti-corruption movement initiated by activist Anna Hazare.
Designer duo Parvesh-Jai have pinned a small picture of Anna on their sleeves with 'I am Anna' written below.
"I am supporting him. Wearing a ribbon for breast cancer and AIDS (awareness), it's like that. Corruption is the cancer of the society. I am not promoting the protest in a major way but of course in a subdued way. I don't want to superimpose my views on others. I don't want to be too loud, but yes am supporting him," said Parvesh.
Echoing this, Jai added: "I am supporting him. I am not promoting him as a fashion designer but as an Indian. Being a citizen of this country, I have to be responsible for something and I have to be there with Anna. I am not promoting his protest through my collection but I am with Anna. This is my duty."
"I think any cause, which is for the betterment of the society, betterment of the democracy, something which is right, has to be supported, said designer Nachiket Barve.
"It requires cumulative and intelligent steps from those who are educated and empowered," Barve said.
"My support is always there for anyone who initiates such a movement against plaguing social issues," said designer Swapnil Shinde.
"We all will support this cause in any which way. There are so many flaws in our system coming up again and again. Be it Anna Hazare or anyone else, whoever initiates such movement I am going to support him without a doubt," Shinde added.
They are going all out in expressing their support for the anti-corruption movement initiated by activist Anna Hazare.
Designer duo Parvesh-Jai have pinned a small picture of Anna on their sleeves with 'I am Anna' written below.
"I am supporting him. Wearing a ribbon for breast cancer and AIDS (awareness), it's like that. Corruption is the cancer of the society. I am not promoting the protest in a major way but of course in a subdued way. I don't want to superimpose my views on others. I don't want to be too loud, but yes am supporting him," said Parvesh.
Echoing this, Jai added: "I am supporting him. I am not promoting him as a fashion designer but as an Indian. Being a citizen of this country, I have to be responsible for something and I have to be there with Anna. I am not promoting his protest through my collection but I am with Anna. This is my duty."
"I think any cause, which is for the betterment of the society, betterment of the democracy, something which is right, has to be supported, said designer Nachiket Barve.
"It requires cumulative and intelligent steps from those who are educated and empowered," Barve said.
"My support is always there for anyone who initiates such a movement against plaguing social issues," said designer Swapnil Shinde.
"We all will support this cause in any which way. There are so many flaws in our system coming up again and again. Be it Anna Hazare or anyone else, whoever initiates such movement I am going to support him without a doubt," Shinde added.
Support Anna cry on high pitch
AJMER: Support for Anna Hazare intensified in the city on Friday with rallies and hunger strikes by advocates on court premises. Private doctors, professors, socialists and even auto-rickshaw drivers protested against the Central government.
A hunger strike was called by the Bar association and former president of the Bar, Devki Nanand Sharma, along with president Kishan Gujjar. Advocates boycott judicial work and demanded that the Jan Lokpal bill be tabled in the parliament. "Government cannot overlook the demand of the masses," Gujjar said.
Former general secretary Suhash Badoria shaved his head as a mark of protest. "It is a shame that when incidents of corruption are coming to the fore, the government is not showing sensitivity," Suhash said.
Meanwhile, various social groups supported a rally organised by students from Ajmer Institute of Technology to Gandhi Bhavan crossroad. Another rally by India Against Corruption was from Bajarang Gargh crossroad to Gandhi Bhavan.
Member of Kirti Pathak will organise a havan on Saturday and start hunger strike on Gandhi Bhavan in support of Anna Hajare. Private doctors tied black bands while working. Auto drivers' union organised rally in Anna's support.
A hunger strike was called by the Bar association and former president of the Bar, Devki Nanand Sharma, along with president Kishan Gujjar. Advocates boycott judicial work and demanded that the Jan Lokpal bill be tabled in the parliament. "Government cannot overlook the demand of the masses," Gujjar said.
Former general secretary Suhash Badoria shaved his head as a mark of protest. "It is a shame that when incidents of corruption are coming to the fore, the government is not showing sensitivity," Suhash said.
Meanwhile, various social groups supported a rally organised by students from Ajmer Institute of Technology to Gandhi Bhavan crossroad. Another rally by India Against Corruption was from Bajarang Gargh crossroad to Gandhi Bhavan.
Member of Kirti Pathak will organise a havan on Saturday and start hunger strike on Gandhi Bhavan in support of Anna Hajare. Private doctors tied black bands while working. Auto drivers' union organised rally in Anna's support.
Mumbai continues to protests for Anna Hazare
Dabbawallahs shout slogans during a rally in support of Anna Hazare in Mumbai.
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The support was visible not just at Azad Maidan which has become the epicener of the campaign in Mumbai but also in different locations, with many citizens holding rallies in support of Hazare.
In South Mumbai, the Bhuleshwar Residents Association, the Bhuleshwar Federation of Retail Traders, Electric Merchants Association as well as the Textile Market Association, took to the streets to show their support.
The NGO India Against Corruption (IAC), that is anchoring the protests in Mumbai in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill today, said that it had collected Rs 1.5 lakh through donations from supporters. The NGO has set a donation box at Azad Maidan funds from Rs. 10 to 100, to help in the organization of morchas and basic necessities for the supporters.
On Sunday, the NGO is organizing a march from Bandra to Juhu which will be called "One-lakh" and they hope to bring out at least a lakh of people on the streets of Mumbai in protest. The Textile Market Association, which took to the streets today in a smaller number has approximately 50,000 to 70,000 members, who have now called for a total bandh to support Hazare.
The Bhuleshwar Residents Association and Bhuleshwar Federation of Retail Traders Association also carried out a march from Bhuleshwar to Azad Maidan with over 400 people, while close to 500 shop-owners of the Electric Merchants Association held a candle-march from Lohar Chawl to Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai, which was also the site of the recent Mumbai blasts.
The Azad maidan ground also saw some doctors coming out from the nearby hospitals to keep a check on the health conditions of those who are fasting. At the moment, over fifty people are fasting at Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Doctors said that although the blood pressure levels have been falling there have been no hiccups so far.
People are being made to consume adequate water, but are being watched should their condition deteriorate. Meanwhile, protests also continued unabated across the state.
Diwali came early for Ralegaon Siddhi on Friday when as residents celebrated social activist Anna Hazare's release from Delhi's Tihar Jail. Residents brought out drums and began beating them as soon as Hazare was released and was on his way to Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
School students, residents wore the dresses of Warkaris(devotees of Lord Vitthal) and participated in the celebrations. Across the state Anna began getting more and more support from different people, on Friday Sex workers brought out a rally in support of Anna Hazare in Nashik. Covering their faces and carrying placards expressing support for Hazare's demand for the Jan Lok Pal bill women marched through the streets before gathering before the local zilla parishad office. The women also said that to express solidarity with Hazare they wont they wont entertain any clients on Friday.
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TIMES CAMPAIGN: ACT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Join campaign for a strong Lokpal law to make India corruption-free
The people of India are sick of corruption. Anna Hazare's Jantar Mantar fast, which got overwhleming public support, has not gone in vain. The latest government version of the proposed Lokpal Bill is certainly an improvement over the anemic bill drafted by the law ministry in December 2010, but the governemt is still not ready to go the whole hog. It wants to retain certain controls. This, unfortunately, may provide escape routes to the corrupt.It's not too late to tell the government that we, the people of India, do not want any compromises on the anti-corruption law. Join the campaign by clicking the "JOIN CAMPAIGN" button below. You can also join the campaign by giving a missed call to the toll-free number 08030088502 or by sending lok as an SMS to 58888.
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