And for a Friday consequent to huge media and public outrage, positive actions, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Political brazenness about corruption; it’s easy acceptance and “chalta hai … chalne do” attitude have all but numbed the average citizen to the issues of Corruption. However, inspite of our politicians apathy, easy availability of video footage with mobiles, the social media and glaring loud debates in the public forums are having a slow but evolutionary impact. Each political party in every part of the country is feeling the heat. Partho Chatterjee, the TMC cabinet minister in Bengal was sacked as footages of trunks of cash being taken out of his apartments went viral. Or the former home minister of Maharashtra now cooling his heals in jail as then Mumbai Police commissioner charged him for bribes of 100 crores per day from pubs in Mumbai. In Karnataka, “40% commission” scandal drowned BJP’s Eashwarappa, the Rural development minister. The vintage, toothless and obsolete Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 has at last been amended due to Global compulsions. Now, The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act -2018 has major changes which must be publicised. Honest Government officers have been granted protection from “ghost” allegations and farcical cases. Section 8 has been amended making the “Giving” of a bribe a criminal offence punishable with a term of upto 7 years. Professionals and honest citizens must understand the tenets of this law and get involved in cleansing the system.
The deluge in Bengaluru, the outspoken narratives by prominent citizens like Mohandas Pai in different forums, the international coverage of the marooned city of Bengaluru have all contributed to waking up the Administration. Karnataka High Court has quashed the state Govt order constituting the Anti Corruption Bureau in 2016 and ordered the empowerment of the Lok Ayukt and transfer of all corruption cases to the empowered Lokayukta. The ADGP – Lokayukta, has swung into action and has directed the police stations to accept and register complaints of bribery and malpractices across the state. The CM has mandated all encroachments and illegal structures on storm water drains to be demolished – no discrimination in the drive and none to be spared. Storm water drains and all lakes in the city come under the ownership of the Karnataka Land Revenue Dept. Ofcourse none of us can expect miracles. Corruption may not diminish, but active citizenry, use of technology, social media and unbiased involvement of youth is the elixir of change. Every city in India needs this. Every active good NGO fighting for good governance and against corruption must be supported.
Let’s not be laid back, be arm chair critics, blame the politicians and be advisory. Let’s take part in the cleansing process, the involved way, the technological way, the SEEGOS way.