Some more - - - rethinking:
Anna Hazare is relevant. The main purpose of Jan Lokpal is to eliminate “monetary corruption” and black money from the system. Anna’s movement has proved that the Nation does not want corruption in the Indian governing system any more. All those sitting in the power position must therefore find ways to achieve this. Instead of finding ways to achieve this purpose, people in power are diluting the issue by propagating themselves and through their media as to why this can not be achieved. Mr. Jag Surya with all his good intentions has raised some issues in the editorial of TOI dated 16 Nov 11; Democracy reinvented:-
a. Does a popular movement – no matter how numerous its followers – have the legitimacy to “dictate” terms as to what laws parliament must make, and how and when it should make them?
b. Who should supervise the functioning of the super supervisor? Yet another supervisor, ad infinitum?
c. If voters have Right to recall, will partisan tactics ensure that no elected government completes its term of office and the country is in a state of perpetual elections - - - - would such a situation be pure democracy or pure anarchy?
Well, during all these years of independence no one has stood up firmly against corruption and black money. Unscrupulous fellows have been looting the national wealth and amassing it in other countries at the cost of national security and prosperity. Our elected representatives have not enacted strong laws to stop it because they are a party to it. We The People of India, the poor masses have been suffering due to the corruption of our so called public servants, watching and tolerating haplessly the rampant loot of our hard-earned money. Anna and his associates; his movement has awaken the poor, hapless suffering masses to rise and unite against the corrupt and corruption. Jan Lokpal is the voice of the masses that should not be strangulated by any opposition of those who are a part of the loot or their mouth-pieces. Questioning that a popular movement – no matter how numerous its followers – have the legitimacy to “dictate” terms as to what laws parliament must make, and how and when it should make them, is only making a mockery of democracy. If parliamentarians are not making strong laws in the interests of the public at large, the public out cry to “dictate” a Bill like Jan Lokpal has all its legitimacy. The Indian constitution gives this right to the people of India who choose their representatives for the benefit of the people.
Next, who should supervise the functioning of the super supervisor Jan Lokpal? Law will take its own course. Make the offense of corruption punishable with death and confiscation of ill gotten wealth by the corrupt or his beneficiaries. If Jan Lokpal is found to be corrupt, he would face the same consequences. Fear is the key. Today corrupt are not afraid because the punishment is too less compared to the gains the corrupt makes. Create fear in the mind of the corrupt to the extent that he is convinced it is not worth being corrupt. Then who would decide about the corruption of Jan Lokpal? The law; lay down the guidelines/rules for deciding the corruption cases; and then honorable supreme court would have jurisdiction over him. Please listen to Mr. Kejriwal. Think positive; give a try; change the rules if they do not work.
We must think positive about the right to recall. We must expect that monetary corruption would stop to a great extent by enacting strong laws like capital punishment and confiscation of wealth and property of the corrupt and his beneficiaries. Then there would be hardly any case of monetary corruption against the elected representatives and need to recall them. Knowingly or unknowingly we are already living in a corruption ridden anarchical democracy run by 30% of the reps with criminal records; where most of them join hands with the bureaucracy in a coterie of cronies like manner to frame rules for their own benefit and rule/try to rule this “democracy” as their dynasty. We the public at large work and earn mainly for their benefit; paying tax and bribes at every step; while they are busy in creating scams and depositing lakhs of crores of ill gotten money in their bank accounts abroad. The proof of the anarchy is that this loot has been going on all these 64 years of independence and even now 80% of the masses are living below poverty line (BPL) mainly due to corruption rooted everywhere in the governing system. There is not much of overall development either; even electricity, good roads and drinking water in the villages beyond the elite cities is not available to the masses. On top of it our ministers are trying to prove that those earning Rs.32 a day are above the poverty line. They are not poor to afford milk @ Rs. 30/ a litter and vegetables @ Rs. 40 to 60/ a KG plus clothing, housing and education of their children in this income without any social security? And look at the emoluments, pay and perks and life time pension after serving only five years term, of our elected ministers, MPs and MLAs; they are getting in lakhs per month and can increase it overnight without any body’s intervention or permission even if they are not doing their job well to the satisfaction of the public; is it not anarchical democracy? There should be an inbuilt system of checks; we should be able to check the unbridled greed of our representatives and take action if they are not doing their job well. If our representatives elected for five years can suspend even the permanently selected civil service officers for not doing the job well then why can’t the public recall them and/or Jan Lokpal suspend them for the same reason?
Corruption lies in our psyche due to the instincts of greed and fear which leads to accumulation of wealth and power. We feel insecure thus afraid of the fear of the unknown and some times known. We can not eliminate our basic instincts. However, we can keep under control the weaker instincts by stronger instincts. Greed is a weaker instinct compared to anger, fear, hunger and sex etc. Let the fear of severe punishment take over the greed of the corrupt. Make the punishment so severe that the greed of monetary gains becomes unattractive to the corrupt. To fight the corrupt/corruption is not an easy task. That too when the corrupt is protected by rules and sitting in a dictating position. Today our PM/CM/ministers have become maharajas and rajas of the past and we the public, the king makers, their hapless prajaa. We have to change this mindset. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, we know. We, the public in a democracy, must keep the power to control them with us; hence the right to recall. We should not have hypothetical fears about the right to recall which of course would serve a great deterrent to the elected representatives of the public. Let us do all we can to change the present corrupt system.
Some may argue that strong punishment like death and life/seven years in jail is prescribed in law for crimes against the state, murder and rape; still rape and murder are taking place every day? Why; because rape and murder are normally committed in spurt of moments of anger and lust; very powerful instincts controlling human behavior, where the emotions over take the discretion. The offender mostly feels sorry after committing such crimes. That is not the case with the offence of monetary corruption driven by the instinct of greed. The corrupt knows well that he has discretionary powers, can twist the rules, cause avoidable delay & inconvenience to the client all within the ambit of law and knows that going to court to seek justice would cause the client great financial loss and delay and that justice delayed is justice denied. The hapless client has no option but to grease the palm of the corrupt. There is no prudent justification comparing corruption with these offences; that too where the judicial system has no time limit to decide such cases and the so called human right activists fight for clemency to the proven terrorists and murderers even after the honorable Supreme Court of India’s decision to hang them. The Pakistani terrorist, who killed more than 100 people on 26.11.10 and ruined India’s prestige, is being kept alive; the government has spent rupees 16 crores on him in one year. (5.29 cr on construction of special cell in jail + 10.87cr on his security + 27500/ on food + 26953 on medicines as per Times Of India dated 22 Nov 11. TOI writes that jail officials “the cost of food has been steadily rising but are able to keep it roughly at about Rs. 25/ per day”); trying to keep food cost at 25/ per day for a terrorist in jail + security + medicine + clothing free and our ministers are telling that Rs 32/ a day is good enough not to be under BPL. Great incentive for the terrorists to attack India and consolation to the masses living under BPL; long live Kasab! The whole world saw him killing; nothing would have happened if he was tried in next 24 hours of his arrest and hanged. At least this amount of public money would have been saved with some lesson to the terrorists.
There has to be a genuine desire to end corruption at political level and the will to fight it at public level. The wisdom of our leaders would lie in reading the mind of the masses and in rising above the personal greed for power and money. The present anarchical democracy if not controlled in time would lead to avoidable class war in the long run with its own consequences.
Wing Commander Vishnu Singh (Retd)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
DEMOCRACY REINVENTED
Anna Hazare is relevant. The main purpose of Jan Lokpal is to eliminate “monetary corruption” and black money from the system. Anna’s movement has proved that the Nation does not want corruption in the Indian governing system any more. All those sitting in the power position must therefore find ways to achieve this. Instead of finding ways to achieve this purpose, people in power are diluting the issue by propagating themselves and through their media as to why this can not be achieved. Mr. Jag Surya with all his good intentions has raised some issues in the editorial of TOI dated 16 Nov 11; Democracy reinvented:-
a. Does a popular movement – no matter how numerous its followers – have the legitimacy to “dictate” terms as to what laws parliament must make, and how and when it should make them?
b. Who should supervise the functioning of the super supervisor? Yet another supervisor, ad infinitum?
c. If voters have Right to recall, will partisan tactics ensure that no elected government completes its term of office and the country is in a state of perpetual elections - - - - would such a situation be pure democracy or pure anarchy?
Well, during all these years of independence no one has stood up firmly against corruption and black money. Unscrupulous fellows have been looting the national wealth and amassing it in other countries at the cost of national security and prosperity. Our elected representatives have not enacted strong laws to stop it because they are a party to this. We The People of India, the poor masses have been suffering due to the corruption of our so called public servants, watching and tolerating haplessly the rampant loot of our hard earned money. Anna and his associates; his movement has awaken the poor, hapless suffering masses to rise and unite against the corrupt and corruption. Jan Lokpal is the voice of the masses that should not be strangulated by any opposition of those who are a part of the loot or their mouth-pieces. Questioning that a popular movement – no matter how numerous its followers – have the legitimacy to “dictate” terms as to what laws parliament must make, and how and when it should make them, is only making a mockery of democracy. If parliamentarians are not making strong laws in the interests of the public at large, the public out cry to “dictate” a Bill like Jan Lokpal has all its legitimacy. The Indian constitution gives this right to the people of India who choose their representatives for the benefit of the people.
Next, who should supervise the functioning of the super supervisor Jan Lokpal? Law will take its own course. Make the offense of corruption punishable with death and confiscation of ill gotten wealth by the corrupt or his beneficiaries. If Jan Lokpal is found to be corrupt, he would face the same consequences. Fear is the key. Today corrupt are not afraid because the punishment is too less compared to the gains the corrupt makes. Create fear in the mind of the corrupt to the extent that he is convinced it is not worth being corrupt. Then who would decide about the corruption of Jan Lokpal? The law; lay down the guidelines/rules for deciding the corruption cases; and then honorable supreme court would have jurisdiction over him. Please listen to Mr. Kejriwal. Think positive; give a try; change the rules if it does not work.
We must think positive about the right to recall. We must expect that monetary corruption would stop to a great extent by enacting strong laws like capital punishment and confiscation of wealth and property of the corrupt and his beneficiaries. Then there would be hardly any case against the elected representatives and need to recall them. Knowingly or unknowingly we are already living in a corruption ridden anarchical democracy of Raja/Maharaja days, where most if not all of our own elected representatives like a coterie of cronies, are framing rules for their own benefit and ruling/trying to rule this democracy as their dynasty. We the public at large are working and earning mainly for their benefit. The proof is that even after 64 years of independence 80% of the masses are living below poverty line (BPL) and there is not much of development; even bijli, paani and sadak in the villages; beyond the elite cities. On top of it our ministers are trying to prove that those earning more than Rs.32 a day are above the poverty line; that the masses are being looked after well by them. All this shows that our representatives are not doing their job well. If the elected representatives can suspend even an IAS officer for not doing the job well then why not to recall/suspend them for the same reason?
To fight the corrupt/corruption is not an easy task. That too when the corrupt is protected by rules and sitting in a dictating position. Today our PM/CM/ministers have become maharajas and rajas of the past and we, the king makers, their prajaa. We have to change this mindset. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, we know. We, the public in a democracy, must keep the power to control them with us; hence the right to recall. We should not have hypothetical fears about the right to recall which of course would serve a great deterrent to the elected representatives of the public. Let us do all we can to change the present corrupt system.
Corruption lies in our psyche due to the instincts of greed and fear. We feel insecure thus afraid due to the fear of the unknown and some times known. We can not eliminate our basic instincts. However, we can keep under control the weaker instincts by stronger instincts. Greed is a weaker instinct compared to anger, fear, hunger and sex etc. Let the fear of severe punishment take over the greed of the corrupt. Make the punishment so severe that the greed of monetary gains becomes unattractive to the corrupt.
Some may argue that strong punishment like death and life/seven years in jail is prescribed in law for crimes against the state, murder and rape; still rape and murder are taking place every day. Why; because rape and murder are normally committed in spurt of moments of anger and lust; very powerful instincts controlling human behavior, where the emotions over take the discretion. The offender mostly feels sorry after committing such crimes. That is not the case with the offence of monetary corruption driven by the instinct of greed. The corrupt knows well that he has discretionary powers, can twist the rules, cause avoidable delay & inconvenience to the client all within the ambit of law, and knows that going to court to seek justice would cause the client great financial loss and delay and that justice delayed is justice denied. The hapless client has no option but to grease the palm of the corrupt. There is no prudent justification comparing corruption with these offences.
There has to be a genuine desire to end corruption at political level and the will to fight it at public level. The anarchical democracy as feared by Jag Surya, if not controlled in time would ultimately lead to avoidable class war in the long run.
Wing Commander Vishnu Singh (Retd.)
a. Does a popular movement – no matter how numerous its followers – have the legitimacy to “dictate” terms as to what laws parliament must make, and how and when it should make them?
b. Who should supervise the functioning of the super supervisor? Yet another supervisor, ad infinitum?
c. If voters have Right to recall, will partisan tactics ensure that no elected government completes its term of office and the country is in a state of perpetual elections - - - - would such a situation be pure democracy or pure anarchy?
Well, during all these years of independence no one has stood up firmly against corruption and black money. Unscrupulous fellows have been looting the national wealth and amassing it in other countries at the cost of national security and prosperity. Our elected representatives have not enacted strong laws to stop it because they are a party to this. We The People of India, the poor masses have been suffering due to the corruption of our so called public servants, watching and tolerating haplessly the rampant loot of our hard earned money. Anna and his associates; his movement has awaken the poor, hapless suffering masses to rise and unite against the corrupt and corruption. Jan Lokpal is the voice of the masses that should not be strangulated by any opposition of those who are a part of the loot or their mouth-pieces. Questioning that a popular movement – no matter how numerous its followers – have the legitimacy to “dictate” terms as to what laws parliament must make, and how and when it should make them, is only making a mockery of democracy. If parliamentarians are not making strong laws in the interests of the public at large, the public out cry to “dictate” a Bill like Jan Lokpal has all its legitimacy. The Indian constitution gives this right to the people of India who choose their representatives for the benefit of the people.
Next, who should supervise the functioning of the super supervisor Jan Lokpal? Law will take its own course. Make the offense of corruption punishable with death and confiscation of ill gotten wealth by the corrupt or his beneficiaries. If Jan Lokpal is found to be corrupt, he would face the same consequences. Fear is the key. Today corrupt are not afraid because the punishment is too less compared to the gains the corrupt makes. Create fear in the mind of the corrupt to the extent that he is convinced it is not worth being corrupt. Then who would decide about the corruption of Jan Lokpal? The law; lay down the guidelines/rules for deciding the corruption cases; and then honorable supreme court would have jurisdiction over him. Please listen to Mr. Kejriwal. Think positive; give a try; change the rules if it does not work.
We must think positive about the right to recall. We must expect that monetary corruption would stop to a great extent by enacting strong laws like capital punishment and confiscation of wealth and property of the corrupt and his beneficiaries. Then there would be hardly any case against the elected representatives and need to recall them. Knowingly or unknowingly we are already living in a corruption ridden anarchical democracy of Raja/Maharaja days, where most if not all of our own elected representatives like a coterie of cronies, are framing rules for their own benefit and ruling/trying to rule this democracy as their dynasty. We the public at large are working and earning mainly for their benefit. The proof is that even after 64 years of independence 80% of the masses are living below poverty line (BPL) and there is not much of development; even bijli, paani and sadak in the villages; beyond the elite cities. On top of it our ministers are trying to prove that those earning more than Rs.32 a day are above the poverty line; that the masses are being looked after well by them. All this shows that our representatives are not doing their job well. If the elected representatives can suspend even an IAS officer for not doing the job well then why not to recall/suspend them for the same reason?
To fight the corrupt/corruption is not an easy task. That too when the corrupt is protected by rules and sitting in a dictating position. Today our PM/CM/ministers have become maharajas and rajas of the past and we, the king makers, their prajaa. We have to change this mindset. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, we know. We, the public in a democracy, must keep the power to control them with us; hence the right to recall. We should not have hypothetical fears about the right to recall which of course would serve a great deterrent to the elected representatives of the public. Let us do all we can to change the present corrupt system.
Corruption lies in our psyche due to the instincts of greed and fear. We feel insecure thus afraid due to the fear of the unknown and some times known. We can not eliminate our basic instincts. However, we can keep under control the weaker instincts by stronger instincts. Greed is a weaker instinct compared to anger, fear, hunger and sex etc. Let the fear of severe punishment take over the greed of the corrupt. Make the punishment so severe that the greed of monetary gains becomes unattractive to the corrupt.
Some may argue that strong punishment like death and life/seven years in jail is prescribed in law for crimes against the state, murder and rape; still rape and murder are taking place every day. Why; because rape and murder are normally committed in spurt of moments of anger and lust; very powerful instincts controlling human behavior, where the emotions over take the discretion. The offender mostly feels sorry after committing such crimes. That is not the case with the offence of monetary corruption driven by the instinct of greed. The corrupt knows well that he has discretionary powers, can twist the rules, cause avoidable delay & inconvenience to the client all within the ambit of law, and knows that going to court to seek justice would cause the client great financial loss and delay and that justice delayed is justice denied. The hapless client has no option but to grease the palm of the corrupt. There is no prudent justification comparing corruption with these offences.
There has to be a genuine desire to end corruption at political level and the will to fight it at public level. The anarchical democracy as feared by Jag Surya, if not controlled in time would ultimately lead to avoidable class war in the long run.
Wing Commander Vishnu Singh (Retd.)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
MAGIC WAND: TO END CORRUPTION:
Does our PM need a magic wand; jaadu ki chadi to end the corruption? Magic wand is not required; it is the political will that is needed. Corruption can be arrested, eradicated and almost finished in no time or within a very short time if the Govt really wants. How?
Beating around the bush will not serve the cause. Kill the snake.
1. Call all the MPs in the parliament; ask them as to “who” supports corruption? I am sure there wouldn’t be any to dare support corruption openly in parliament.
2. Ask them that seeing the gravity of the menace and the mood of the people, the punishment for corruption be made punishable with death or/and life imprisonment and confiscation of the ill gotten money/assets. If they have genuine desire to end corruption, they should accept.
3. They may agree or disagree; that would be parliamentary mandate. This should not take more than 48 hours. After that follow the procedures whatever they may be in accordance with the mandate and make rules.
4. We are living in the age of advanced technology. Put these parliamentary proceedings on TV. Be transparent to the public so that there is no ambiguity and confusion in the mind of anybody as to what is said by whom and how. Let the public know who wants what; face to face.
If the elected representatives of the public are honest and really want to fulfill the mandate of the people thus accepted by them in parliament, they should agree to it. Get it passed, make laws and implement it in a fixed time frame. Give quick justice. See how many would dare to practice corruption at the cost of their life.
PM does not need magic wand; he needs “Danda” and the ability to wield it honestly for the right cause. Strong laws to stop this menace and other heinous crimes are needed if we want a clean society. PM and his party/government have the power to make strong laws; wield this Danda if he does not have a magic wand. THERE IS NO OTHER CURE TO GET RID OF CORRUPTION AND OTHER HENIOUS CRIMES.
Wing Commander V. Singh (Retd)
Does our PM need a magic wand; jaadu ki chadi to end the corruption? Magic wand is not required; it is the political will that is needed. Corruption can be arrested, eradicated and almost finished in no time or within a very short time if the Govt really wants. How?
Beating around the bush will not serve the cause. Kill the snake.
1. Call all the MPs in the parliament; ask them as to “who” supports corruption? I am sure there wouldn’t be any to dare support corruption openly in parliament.
2. Ask them that seeing the gravity of the menace and the mood of the people, the punishment for corruption be made punishable with death or/and life imprisonment and confiscation of the ill gotten money/assets. If they have genuine desire to end corruption, they should accept.
3. They may agree or disagree; that would be parliamentary mandate. This should not take more than 48 hours. After that follow the procedures whatever they may be in accordance with the mandate and make rules.
4. We are living in the age of advanced technology. Put these parliamentary proceedings on TV. Be transparent to the public so that there is no ambiguity and confusion in the mind of anybody as to what is said by whom and how. Let the public know who wants what; face to face.
If the elected representatives of the public are honest and really want to fulfill the mandate of the people thus accepted by them in parliament, they should agree to it. Get it passed, make laws and implement it in a fixed time frame. Give quick justice. See how many would dare to practice corruption at the cost of their life.
PM does not need magic wand; he needs “Danda” and the ability to wield it honestly for the right cause. Strong laws to stop this menace and other heinous crimes are needed if we want a clean society. PM and his party/government have the power to make strong laws; wield this Danda if he does not have a magic wand. THERE IS NO OTHER CURE TO GET RID OF CORRUPTION AND OTHER HENIOUS CRIMES.
Wing Commander V. Singh (Retd)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
WHO IS SUPREME IN DEMOCRACY; PUBLIC OR PARLIAMENT? (Once more.)
Parliament is supreme legislative and executive body in a democracy; agreed. That does not mean that it is above the public who elects its representatives and sends them to the Parliament House to form a “parliament” to make right rules for good governance. The existence of Parliament depends on the public from where it draws its strength and pay package as “public servants” to serve the public individually and collectively. Democracy is a government of the public, by the public and for the public and NOT by a few and for a few sent to the parliament by the public who later shift their loyalty from the public to themselves; to serve their own selfish interests. Thus the public is the master and the parliamentarian public servants. The irony is that once in power, they consider themselves the masters and public their servant.
What to do when the elected representatives in the Parliament do not act in the interest of the public at large, start looting lacs of crores of taxpayer’s money and amassing it in their foreign bank accounts, starving the poor by created inflation, taxing the public in every possible way and keeping the maximum in their pockets and giving minimum for the 120 crore population of this great nation of ours in the name of progress? They have not given us good governance and an effective Lokpal Bill to arrest corruption so far; nor do they intend to give. That is why some one like Anna had to appear on the scene.
Anna says Janta is supreme; UPA and some others are saying that parliament is supreme. The ruling party and their supporters are saying that Anna and civil society member’s method of putting their demands by fasting is undemocratic; they should get elected and come to the parliament to raise their voice. In other words they are saying that public has no right to raise their voice from out side the parliament in a democracy to air their grievances and demand justice? A thin end of the wedge is being created by the ruling class and vested interests to divert the attention of the intellectuals and public from a serious matter like eradication of corruption and good governance which if stopped at this stage shall have serious repercussions in future. The question is why this situation has reached when someone like Anna Hazare has to come on the stage to save the public from its elected representatives? Why there is so much of support to Anna from all sections of society? It is the cancer of CORRUPTION causing inflation and misery in every sphere of public life that has compelled the masses to rise and defy the government from enacting their toothless Bill and support Anna’s Lan Lokpal Bill.
Our leadership; our parliamentarians, politicians and administrators are mostly CORRUPT leaving aside a very few who are honest or neutral. The elected ones were supposed to make rules in the best interests of the taxpayers and poor hapless masses who have no individual voice of their own and to give them their fare share of development. Instead, they have looted this nation by lacs and lacs of crores of public money and amassed it in other countries. A clear case of criminal breach of trust of the public who elected them and placed their money in their hands for public use; and an offence equal to one against the state that has been deceived by them! They have made and now trying to make ineffective rules and laws to swindle public wealth and to save themselves. At least fifty years of Indian independence have been a sad storey of rampant corruption in all government departments. The list of Indians with black money in Swiss banks as disclosed by Wiki Leaks is a shameful criminal record of those involved.
Public is more than fed up of corruption. They want effective laws; effective JAN LOKPAL BILL as proposed by Anna and civil society because they have no faith that their elected representatives sitting in the parliament would give them an effective law to deal with corruption. The irony is that knowing all the good points of Jan Lokpal Bill they would not like to accept it. If they do, they would be behind the bars sooner or later. They would not like to loose their ill gotten billions and see themselves behind the bars - - - - naturally who would like? Some give and take as the PM is saying. Is it the amnesty from being punished and allowing to keep the ill gotten billions? What else is stopping them - - - - - saving the next PM in line - - - - - our prince charming? Some compromise has to be reached midway - - - perhaps - - - in the larger interest of the nation. But “We the people - - - - - -“are empowered by the constitution to raise our voice to be heard by the parliament when needed, to legislate in the interest of the nation and public at large. Our constitution has been amended many a times after independence; it can be amended again if needed. CORRUPTION IS NOT TO BE ALLOWED FOR THE SAKE OF BETTER GOVERNANCE FOR US AND FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN. Anna and the civil society members are doing a good job enlightening the public about the difference between government’s Lokpal Bill and Jan Lokpal Bill. Others should join at their level. All patriotic people, organizations and parties should join in the crusade of Anna to enforce JAN LOKPAL BILL. Enforcing the public will in a non violent manner for a right cause is not undemocratic. The government should gauge the mood of the masses gathering in lacs at India Gate, Ram Lila Maidan and all over India at their own on one call from Anna and read the BOLD writing on the wall.
Wing Commander V. Singh (Retd)
Parliament is supreme legislative and executive body in a democracy; agreed. That does not mean that it is above the public who elects its representatives and sends them to the Parliament House to form a “parliament” to make right rules for good governance. The existence of Parliament depends on the public from where it draws its strength and pay package as “public servants” to serve the public individually and collectively. Democracy is a government of the public, by the public and for the public and NOT by a few and for a few sent to the parliament by the public who later shift their loyalty from the public to themselves; to serve their own selfish interests. Thus the public is the master and the parliamentarian public servants. The irony is that once in power, they consider themselves the masters and public their servant.
What to do when the elected representatives in the Parliament do not act in the interest of the public at large, start looting lacs of crores of taxpayer’s money and amassing it in their foreign bank accounts, starving the poor by created inflation, taxing the public in every possible way and keeping the maximum in their pockets and giving minimum for the 120 crore population of this great nation of ours in the name of progress? They have not given us good governance and an effective Lokpal Bill to arrest corruption so far; nor do they intend to give. That is why some one like Anna had to appear on the scene.
Anna says Janta is supreme; UPA and some others are saying that parliament is supreme. The ruling party and their supporters are saying that Anna and civil society member’s method of putting their demands by fasting is undemocratic; they should get elected and come to the parliament to raise their voice. In other words they are saying that public has no right to raise their voice from out side the parliament in a democracy to air their grievances and demand justice? A thin end of the wedge is being created by the ruling class and vested interests to divert the attention of the intellectuals and public from a serious matter like eradication of corruption and good governance which if stopped at this stage shall have serious repercussions in future. The question is why this situation has reached when someone like Anna Hazare has to come on the stage to save the public from its elected representatives? Why there is so much of support to Anna from all sections of society? It is the cancer of CORRUPTION causing inflation and misery in every sphere of public life that has compelled the masses to rise and defy the government from enacting their toothless Bill and support Anna’s Lan Lokpal Bill.
Our leadership; our parliamentarians, politicians and administrators are mostly CORRUPT leaving aside a very few who are honest or neutral. The elected ones were supposed to make rules in the best interests of the taxpayers and poor hapless masses who have no individual voice of their own and to give them their fare share of development. Instead, they have looted this nation by lacs and lacs of crores of public money and amassed it in other countries. A clear case of criminal breach of trust of the public who elected them and placed their money in their hands for public use; and an offence equal to one against the state that has been deceived by them! They have made and now trying to make ineffective rules and laws to swindle public wealth and to save themselves. At least fifty years of Indian independence have been a sad storey of rampant corruption in all government departments. The list of Indians with black money in Swiss banks as disclosed by Wiki Leaks is a shameful criminal record of those involved.
Public is more than fed up of corruption. They want effective laws; effective JAN LOKPAL BILL as proposed by Anna and civil society because they have no faith that their elected representatives sitting in the parliament would give them an effective law to deal with corruption. The irony is that knowing all the good points of Jan Lokpal Bill they would not like to accept it. If they do, they would be behind the bars sooner or later. They would not like to loose their ill gotten billions and see themselves behind the bars - - - - naturally who would like? Some give and take as the PM is saying. Is it the amnesty from being punished and allowing to keep the ill gotten billions? What else is stopping them - - - - - saving the next PM in line - - - - - our prince charming? Some compromise has to be reached midway - - - perhaps - - - in the larger interest of the nation. But “We the people - - - - - -“are empowered by the constitution to raise our voice to be heard by the parliament when needed, to legislate in the interest of the nation and public at large. Our constitution has been amended many a times after independence; it can be amended again if needed. CORRUPTION IS NOT TO BE ALLOWED FOR THE SAKE OF BETTER GOVERNANCE FOR US AND FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN. Anna and the civil society members are doing a good job enlightening the public about the difference between government’s Lokpal Bill and Jan Lokpal Bill. Others should join at their level. All patriotic people, organizations and parties should join in the crusade of Anna to enforce JAN LOKPAL BILL. Enforcing the public will in a non violent manner for a right cause is not undemocratic. The government should gauge the mood of the masses gathering in lacs at India Gate, Ram Lila Maidan and all over India at their own on one call from Anna and read the BOLD writing on the wall.
Wing Commander V. Singh (Retd)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Anna wants his Jan Lokpal Bill to save us from corruption and Govt (politicians and babus) their Jokpal Bill to fool the people. Anna must understand that if all his demands are accepted, the politicians, babus and others who have amassed ill gotten wealth in India and abroad will go to jail and will not be able to loot the national wealth and rule the nation. Politics then will not remain such lucrative a profession for them. They will not like to make laws to harm their own selfish interests and to put themselves in jail. Therefore a compromise has to be reached somewhere mid way for the sake of better governance in future.
Any lokpal would be a person; corruption is in the psyche of all human beings because of the instincts of fear and greed and some other instincts which can not be eliminated from the human psyche. Nobody can guarantee an absolutely honest lokpal as a person. Even Anna admits his Lokpal will be 65% effective. Therefore we should not look for honest person but think of honest and effective system which can give us at least 95% corruption free society.
Make strong laws that deter the doer of corruption. Law should be equal to all. Nobody should be above the law of the land including high and mighty, PM, President and CJI. Corruption at high ministerial and HC/SC level be punishable with death; at top burocracy level punishable with life imprisonment; below that 10 years and the like. Corruption is comparable to an offence against the nation punishable with death or life imprisonment. It amounts to weakening the nation and enslaving it in the long run by amassing lakhs of crores of tax payer’s money abroad or in their coffers in India which could be used to make the nation strong, saved thousands from dying of hunger, create free health and education facilities for the poor. The corrupt at the higher levels are thus a part of the conspiracy of looting the rightful share of the masses for their own selfish motives and directly or indirectly involved in the murder of thousands if not lakhs of their own countrymen by giving them slow death of starvation. If the murder of one can be punished by death then what is wrong if death is made the punishment for such corrupt ones?
Implement justice quick and fast. Fear is the key; create fear in the corrupt and the criminals. If people are afraid of corruption and crime they will not do it or would think ten times before doing. See some countries where rape is punishable with death, the rape cases are negligible. In India there are at least 6 rapes every day in NCR alone.
Eliminate the root cause of black money, which govt knows well. Give one chance to the culprits. Agree not to punish the culprits of black money if they disclose/bring back and give 60% of it to the govt. After an agreed date they and any body else be dealt with as per the strong laws; by amending the existing ones or enacting the new ones. Enacting ineffective laws is no remedy.
We all must support Anna, the crusader. Coterie of the Cronies should not be allowed to rule the Democracy of 120 crores.
Any lokpal would be a person; corruption is in the psyche of all human beings because of the instincts of fear and greed and some other instincts which can not be eliminated from the human psyche. Nobody can guarantee an absolutely honest lokpal as a person. Even Anna admits his Lokpal will be 65% effective. Therefore we should not look for honest person but think of honest and effective system which can give us at least 95% corruption free society.
Make strong laws that deter the doer of corruption. Law should be equal to all. Nobody should be above the law of the land including high and mighty, PM, President and CJI. Corruption at high ministerial and HC/SC level be punishable with death; at top burocracy level punishable with life imprisonment; below that 10 years and the like. Corruption is comparable to an offence against the nation punishable with death or life imprisonment. It amounts to weakening the nation and enslaving it in the long run by amassing lakhs of crores of tax payer’s money abroad or in their coffers in India which could be used to make the nation strong, saved thousands from dying of hunger, create free health and education facilities for the poor. The corrupt at the higher levels are thus a part of the conspiracy of looting the rightful share of the masses for their own selfish motives and directly or indirectly involved in the murder of thousands if not lakhs of their own countrymen by giving them slow death of starvation. If the murder of one can be punished by death then what is wrong if death is made the punishment for such corrupt ones?
Implement justice quick and fast. Fear is the key; create fear in the corrupt and the criminals. If people are afraid of corruption and crime they will not do it or would think ten times before doing. See some countries where rape is punishable with death, the rape cases are negligible. In India there are at least 6 rapes every day in NCR alone.
Eliminate the root cause of black money, which govt knows well. Give one chance to the culprits. Agree not to punish the culprits of black money if they disclose/bring back and give 60% of it to the govt. After an agreed date they and any body else be dealt with as per the strong laws; by amending the existing ones or enacting the new ones. Enacting ineffective laws is no remedy.
We all must support Anna, the crusader. Coterie of the Cronies should not be allowed to rule the Democracy of 120 crores.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Corruption and Jan Lokpal:
Human beings are a bundle of instincts, emotions and intelligence. Fear, greed and ego corrupt human nature and we all are human beings any where; in parliament or in the civil society. Generally man is not satisfied with less. He or she wants more and more depending on his or her desire and ability. Corruption is rooted in human psyche because of these instincts; in some less in some more and in some exceptional ones to the point of none. Another egocentric aspect of corruption is power. It is well said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Those who are ambitious aspire for more and more power. Money becomes an important means to get them in power. In the race of acquiring and remaining in power rationale is lost and all becomes fair for them in the “love and war for power”. They start accumulating money flouting their own laws, adopt foul means, make weak laws and corrupt the governing system thus keeping the power in the hands of a few who exploit many to work and earn for them. Governance “by the people and for the people” thus becomes a farce and government a legal mafia of politicians and babus. Politicians keep coming and going through elections while babus hold the corrupted system for them. Servants become rulers. Public has little choice after they cast their vote.
Politics has become family domain of those who have been in power for long, super rich who have crores of rupees to fight elections or the criminals with muscle power and government a nexus of all these combined. Once they are in power, they consider themselves maharajas of the past and not the servants of the public who elects and send them to those positions to look after the welfare of the public. They get busy in looking after their own interests. The politicians and administrators (service class) are a class in them selves who with a little exception has been swindling tax payer’s money at all levels for a long time without being accountable for their misdeeds. They would not like to change this corrupt system that benefits them. How can we expect them to enact laws to rein and punish themselves? Politicians know that today they are in opposition; tomorrow they would be in power, in another coalition. The service class, the babus will remain in service for a long time to benefit from the present corrupted system. They will not support a change in system. Some one else has to ensure this.
Our democracy needs drastic change in legal and administrative system. Crime and corruption which has reached the present heights can be eradicated and controlled to a very great extent by making strong laws; like rape and stacking black money in India and abroad punishable with death; confiscating black money as national property; robbery and theft punishable by cutting one hand of the culprits. And then fast implementation of justice. Then see how many would dare to commit such crimes. Present laws and their implementation are so weak that there is no fear in the minds of the culprits to flaunt them. Fear is the key; better use it. Make strong Jan Lokpal; make strong laws; make lokpal also accountable. Strong lokpal proposed by the civil society seems to be an alternative. We have a democracy and politicians in general would not like the Jan Lokpal of civil society.
Today the political parties are controlling their vote bank through Grampanchayats at village level. Anna and the civil society want to remain non-political. They do not have a political party or means to fight elections or an infrastructure to create a mass movement to implement their ideas at the village level to awaken the masses against the loop holes in the present system which is damaging the public and national interests. The majority of the masses is not aware of Lokpal Bill; even the young educated working in call centers are not fully aware of it.; and how many will sit on fast for how long? Fast-to-death by people like Anna Hazare has and would create turmoil in the masses but not a sure way to ensure what he wants. Therefore they should take along with them the political parties who are ready to accept the Jan Lokpal Bill and make them agree to include it in their manifesto for the next election and simultaneously pressurize the UPA government to accept and implement it. Political parties and Anna should join hands to ride the anti corruption wave and create mass movement on these grounds; make it a “mudda” and fight elections. In parliamentary democracy we have to follow parliamentary ways to implement the voice of the people.
Wing Commander Vishnu Singh (Retd)
Vishnu.2008@gmail.com
Human beings are a bundle of instincts, emotions and intelligence. Fear, greed and ego corrupt human nature and we all are human beings any where; in parliament or in the civil society. Generally man is not satisfied with less. He or she wants more and more depending on his or her desire and ability. Corruption is rooted in human psyche because of these instincts; in some less in some more and in some exceptional ones to the point of none. Another egocentric aspect of corruption is power. It is well said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Those who are ambitious aspire for more and more power. Money becomes an important means to get them in power. In the race of acquiring and remaining in power rationale is lost and all becomes fair for them in the “love and war for power”. They start accumulating money flouting their own laws, adopt foul means, make weak laws and corrupt the governing system thus keeping the power in the hands of a few who exploit many to work and earn for them. Governance “by the people and for the people” thus becomes a farce and government a legal mafia of politicians and babus. Politicians keep coming and going through elections while babus hold the corrupted system for them. Servants become rulers. Public has little choice after they cast their vote.
Politics has become family domain of those who have been in power for long, super rich who have crores of rupees to fight elections or the criminals with muscle power and government a nexus of all these combined. Once they are in power, they consider themselves maharajas of the past and not the servants of the public who elects and send them to those positions to look after the welfare of the public. They get busy in looking after their own interests. The politicians and administrators (service class) are a class in them selves who with a little exception has been swindling tax payer’s money at all levels for a long time without being accountable for their misdeeds. They would not like to change this corrupt system that benefits them. How can we expect them to enact laws to rein and punish themselves? Politicians know that today they are in opposition; tomorrow they would be in power, in another coalition. The service class, the babus will remain in service for a long time to benefit from the present corrupted system. They will not support a change in system. Some one else has to ensure this.
Our democracy needs drastic change in legal and administrative system. Crime and corruption which has reached the present heights can be eradicated and controlled to a very great extent by making strong laws; like rape and stacking black money in India and abroad punishable with death; confiscating black money as national property; robbery and theft punishable by cutting one hand of the culprits. And then fast implementation of justice. Then see how many would dare to commit such crimes. Present laws and their implementation are so weak that there is no fear in the minds of the culprits to flaunt them. Fear is the key; better use it. Make strong Jan Lokpal; make strong laws; make lokpal also accountable. Strong lokpal proposed by the civil society seems to be an alternative. We have a democracy and politicians in general would not like the Jan Lokpal of civil society.
Today the political parties are controlling their vote bank through Grampanchayats at village level. Anna and the civil society want to remain non-political. They do not have a political party or means to fight elections or an infrastructure to create a mass movement to implement their ideas at the village level to awaken the masses against the loop holes in the present system which is damaging the public and national interests. The majority of the masses is not aware of Lokpal Bill; even the young educated working in call centers are not fully aware of it.; and how many will sit on fast for how long? Fast-to-death by people like Anna Hazare has and would create turmoil in the masses but not a sure way to ensure what he wants. Therefore they should take along with them the political parties who are ready to accept the Jan Lokpal Bill and make them agree to include it in their manifesto for the next election and simultaneously pressurize the UPA government to accept and implement it. Political parties and Anna should join hands to ride the anti corruption wave and create mass movement on these grounds; make it a “mudda” and fight elections. In parliamentary democracy we have to follow parliamentary ways to implement the voice of the people.
Wing Commander Vishnu Singh (Retd)
Vishnu.2008@gmail.com
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Corruption Politics
Govt is diverting the attention of the nation from the main issues raised by Baba Ram Dev and Anna Hazare. Their main issues in principle are to:
1. Bring the Indian black money back from other countries.
This can change the fate of millions and our nation as a whole.
2. Confiscate and make it national property. After all this is ill gotten swindled money which rightly belongs to the nation? And those who own it are not poor people who can not survive without it.
3. Prosecute those who own this. Law should take its own course.
4. Make deterrent laws to stop corruption; may be punishable with death.
Laws made so far have proved of no consequence to the corrupt. Do not make ineffective laws and hoodwink the public. Our constitution is for good governance; amend it if needed. It has been amended so many times.Now the nation knows that lakhs of crores stashed in foreign banks belong to those who are sitting in government and in power positions out side. They can not make/amend laws to loose their lakhs of crores and punish themselves. Let there be some compromise; let all the money come back and do not punish those responsible as a one time arrangement. Or give benefit to those who own it; may be 50/50 or 30/70; something like that.
At least the money would come back to benefit the nation. Make strong laws to stop recurrence of stashing corrupt-money in and out of India. We can be a corruption free nation if we have the will. Time has come to show this Will by those who govern and those governed. Democracy is for the people, by the people and not only for and by those who are perforce chosen by the people in the present Indian democratic system. This system is not working as required.
Those in power are looking after their interests well but not of others who deserve and not the poor public and nation at large. Many parties ridden with criminals; many coalitions; weak and corrupt governments! Apart from and after these issues, go for the political and administrative system change.
1. Bring the Indian black money back from other countries.
This can change the fate of millions and our nation as a whole.
2. Confiscate and make it national property. After all this is ill gotten swindled money which rightly belongs to the nation? And those who own it are not poor people who can not survive without it.
3. Prosecute those who own this. Law should take its own course.
4. Make deterrent laws to stop corruption; may be punishable with death.
Laws made so far have proved of no consequence to the corrupt. Do not make ineffective laws and hoodwink the public. Our constitution is for good governance; amend it if needed. It has been amended so many times.Now the nation knows that lakhs of crores stashed in foreign banks belong to those who are sitting in government and in power positions out side. They can not make/amend laws to loose their lakhs of crores and punish themselves. Let there be some compromise; let all the money come back and do not punish those responsible as a one time arrangement. Or give benefit to those who own it; may be 50/50 or 30/70; something like that.
At least the money would come back to benefit the nation. Make strong laws to stop recurrence of stashing corrupt-money in and out of India. We can be a corruption free nation if we have the will. Time has come to show this Will by those who govern and those governed. Democracy is for the people, by the people and not only for and by those who are perforce chosen by the people in the present Indian democratic system. This system is not working as required.
Those in power are looking after their interests well but not of others who deserve and not the poor public and nation at large. Many parties ridden with criminals; many coalitions; weak and corrupt governments! Apart from and after these issues, go for the political and administrative system change.
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