A comparison between the drafts of the Jan Lokpal bill of civil society members and the Lokpal bill of government representatives (June 23) exposes the sharp divide between the two sides. While civil society proposes progressive moves, the government wants to preserve the status quo of the superstructure of corruption. The civil society group has taken care to spread the anti-corruption net, while the government confines itself to the existing modes of anti-corruption machinery. It has omitted crucial aspects such as whistle-blower protection, immunity to the bribe-giver and other powers that can enable the Lokpal to render the proposed law more effective.
Rajender Samala,
Hyderabad
The tabulated details of the various issues involved in the drafting of the Lokpal bill and the differences between the government and civil society members have helped many readers like me gain a precise idea about the grave nature and magnitude of the conflicting views. As a decades-old reader, I would like to thank The Hindu for publishing them.
K.D. Viswanaathan,
Coimbatore
To root out corruption, we need a Lokpal in any form, even if it is only a baby step forward. The Lokpal bill cannot guarantee the elimination of corruption but it will certainly make a difference in the long run. Instead of insisting on including (or excluding) every constitutional authority within the ambit of Lokpal, the two sides should shed their differences and concentrate on passing the bill.
Krishnaprasad Balan,
Chennai
Both sides have valid points but it is also important to look at a practical solution. Bringing all government employees, from top to bottom, under the Lokpal's purview would render the government superfluous. In other words, civil society representatives want to move away from a parliamentary form of government to a Jan Lokpal form of government. Do they believe that the Lokpal can never be corrupted? Although hope sustains life, taking full control of administration from the government and handing it over to the Lokpal hardly seems a practical way of ending corruption.
Puneet Gupta,
Patiala
We already have a criminal justice system in place to deal with the corrupt under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Why does the UPA government want to do the same through the Lokpal, without giving the institution any special powers to deal with corruption? The draft Lokpal bill looks like a virtual repetition of PoCA, aimed at reinforcing that it is the government that is in control.
S. Jeyavel Aravindan,
Rajapalayam
Anna Hazare's proposed hunger strike from August 16 may not get much public response as it did the last time. A hunger strike by him or his team is not the solution to the problem. Team Anna should go to the people and make them aware of the need for a Jan Lokpal bill to eradicate corruption. We have already seen what happened to Baba Ramdev's recent fast. Babas should be kept away from the anti-corruption crusade.
Why is the government adamant on keeping the Prime Minister, the higher judiciary and the MPs away from the purview of the proposed Lokpal? Nobody should be above the law.
V.B. Rajagopal,
Thiruvananthapuram
The result of the deliberations on the Lokpal bill was a foregone conclusion. But the exercise, at least, served to highlight the apathetic and intransigent mindset of the UPA government in safeguarding politicians and bureaucrats, come what may. Let us hope that Mr. Hazare's next move will bring forth a solution.
V. Balasubramanian,
Coimbatore
Political parties, activists and the media are all crying shrill over the Lokpal bill. Will a Lokpal change the life of an ordinary person? Even in the unlikely event of a strong Lokpal bill being passed, it will hardly be implemented in letter and in spirit. It will be one more ineffective institution. Also, those on the Lokpal bench are also human. There will be need for further laws to oversee and keep them in check.
There are enough laws on the statute book that are not implemented. Let us ignore all this talk about the Lokpal and look at implementing the criminal and civil laws that already exist. There are enough checks and balances to counter bribery and nepotism.
K. Venkataraman,
Mumbai
We now know that the draft Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) bill, meant to protect the minorities from targeted and organised violence, has been released for comment and feedback. We also know that the Lokpal bill is in the making. A law may soon be enacted for the safety of journalists.
If, in order to find a solution to all problems, we start enacting laws to prosecute the powerful and protect the weak, wouldn't we be treating only the symptoms, and not the disease? How long can the nation survive in a bandaged democracy? Should we not find solutions which will lead society to real democracy?
Sarita Kanade,
Pune
Source: The Hindu
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