Whether Indian Anti-Corruption Lokpal is Sufficient?

Whether Indian Anti-Corruption Lokpal is Sufficient?

By Dr. Lalit Kumar Setia |  @drlalitsetia  |  drlalitsetia@gmail.com  | Created Dec 05, 2017

Updated May 11, 2019

It is well known that the corruption is the primary hidden cause to various problems to the life of a common man. It is must to take pledge for not being involved in corrupt practices and the people in India under the governance inculcated by Prime Minister are taking the pledge with proud. Even the business environment is being framed to make a common man empowered to stop corruption to a great extent? But the moves to empower common man, are becoming barriers and hurdles for the Government employees in public sector organizations to deliver their best performance. The issue which is coming forward is, ‘What can an employee do to stay far from corrupt practices?’

Enactment of Anti-corruption Lokpal Act:

It is well known that combating corruption is a great political propaganda to score win-win position in elections and every political party includes it in manifesto to attract largest number of voters. Due to such commitments in manifesto, the ruling party is also making Anti-Corruption Lokpal Act to be proved a great tool for combating corruption. However, it will be too early to diagnose the impact of the Act. 

Former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose may become India’s first Lokpal. 

Role of Social Activists:

The Social activist Anna Hazare alleged both ex. Prime Minister Sh. Manmohan Singh and present Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for weakening the act by removing the provisions made to combat corruption like "Mandatory disclosure of property details of a government official".

The tools of Right to Information Act, Citizen Charter, and initiatives for e-Governance through Mega Mission Projects running around India, described on the website of "National Institute of Smart Governance" are also playing great roles in enforcement of Anti-Corruption initiatives. However, the new tool of Anti Corruption Lokpal Act will prove a great support in independent functioning of Lokayukta in each state of India.

Corruption and Goverance:

The issues of Nepotism and unnecessary interventions of politicians in the fair functioning of Government Officers  (like officers of Indian Administrative Service and Allied Services) will remain a challenge for next one decade. The fear of being transferred in remote areas and doing mal-practices to please politicians so that comfortable positions can be accomplished; will definitely benefit the politicians and senior Administrators. The industrialists will also remain active by using politicians for making a tool to get their work done with misuse of Government assets.

How to treat problem of Corruption?

The corruption is not a newly born disease and we know "older the disease, higher the  tenure and efforts required to be treated". If Lokpal also failed in India then also it will not be a surprise. There is need to introduce new initiatives by taking support of Information Technology in enforcement of Good and Electronic Governance.

*Copyright © 2018 Dr. Lalit Kumar. All rights reserved.