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Oct 20, 2013

Lokpal Bill

Campaigns by Mr. Anna Hazare and Mr. Arvind Kejriwal are still fresh in our mind. Lakhs of people and their million hopes participated in it. It is always good to know that people who care about justice are still alive. Lokpal Bill came as an amendment in our constitution. These campaign created a spark and excitement in our minds. Our constitution provides us justice, freedom of expression of thought, equality of status and opportunities to us. Government on December 22 introduced lokpal Bill and Lokayukts Bill in Lok Sabha. Body of Lokpal will be at center and lokayukts at state level. With the help of this bill any government official of group- A, B, C, D could be asked to justify his or her actions. After all, we the people of India have chosen them to lead us. Lokpal and Lokayukta are autonomous bodies. These bodies will consist of chairperson and maximum of eight members. Out of them fifty percent must be judicial members. Remaining 50 percent will be from SC, ST, OBC's , minorities and women. There will be two separate wings- one for investigation and one for trials.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE BILLS
Fifty percent of members will be judges. Our constitution has provided independence to judiciary. There are only few powers that can override power of judges. But if we take up fact manual, many judges from highest courts to lowest courts have been found to be engaged  in corruption. Abolishing independence of judiciary is not a solution. I agree. But still there should be some committee or body to keep an check on them too. But it will be a mammoth step. For such a massive step, huge investment is required. Instead of using money here, it can be used for increasing literacy in India and decreasing inequality in opportunities among citizens. Lokpal body should be free from political influence. I really don't know how is that possible in a system where politics influence every step and every breath of it's citizens. Members of Lokpal body will be selected through committee consisting of Prime Minister, speaker of Lok Sabha, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, chief justice of India and a law expert nominated by president. Another committee will assist this committee in this selection process. 50 percent of members will be from SC, ST, OBC's, minorities and women. Can Lokpal question nominal executives like President of India and governors? No, as they have powers during emergencies only. If Prime Minister is not exempted, why are these two not in list? Are they not the part of our constitutional bodies? Why so much emphasis is given on  subject that this official should be exempted, this official shouldn't ? A long debate was held in parliament on whether PM should be included under investigation of Lokpal or not. This is ridiculous. More emphasis should be given on officials of local bodies. They deal with common people on day to day basis. They are the officials which create problems in reaching anti- corruption road. Isn't it obvious that if we have to destroy monster of corruption, we have to take down his supporters first. Take them down and king will be an easy catch.  These bills also seem clueless over problem of  bribes. Giving bribe is a punishable offence. Bribes are given under two conditions-People give money to get a facility or right that is given to them by constitution  but they are not able to get it or exercise their rights.But most of the times bribes are given to officials from culprit, so that they can have curtain on their illegal activities. Only this give and take of bribe should be punishable according to law. These bills should also pay special attention on working of election commission. After all fair elections are foundation of true democracy. But fate of us, the common people is not so bright that our problems will be solved by formation of these bodies. Unless and until we get up and take steps together towards anti- corruption road, we will sink in an ocean of loss and depression. We elect government officials, they work for us. They are public servants. No communication is left between our elected leaders and common people after elections. Common people are not meant to be ruled. We very well know what is right and what is wrong for us. Next time if any government official try to cross his or her boundaries. file a complaint against them. Fight for your rights. We are not asking donation, we just want liberty to live a better life. Government has no right to make unjust laws. Whenever power will be in hands of rich people and politicians only, monster of corruption will raise its head. Whenever concentration of power will be more at one place, corrupt activities will take place. I am very much sure that most of us would never know about these bills if revolts of Mr. Anna Hazare  haven't surfaced. So, raise your voice because-

                                                                   Tujh mai hai aandhi
                                                                                         Tujh mai hai gandhi

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