Saturday, April 16, 2011

BTN: Jan Lokpal bill: addressing concerns by Prashant Bhushan



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From: Milap Choraria

Opinion - Leader Page Articles    
Prashant Bhushan
The draft bill seeks to create an institution that will be independent of those it seeks to police, and will have powers to investigate and prosecute all public servants, and others found guilty of corrupting them.
A number of commentators have raised issues about the provisions in the draft of the Jan Lokpal Bill. They have asked whether it would be an effective instrument to check corruption. They have pointed to the manner in which Anna Hazare's fast put pressure on the government. It is therefore important to understand the provisions of the bill and how it seeks to set up an effective institution to deal with corruption.
Corruption in India has grown to alarming proportions because of policies that have created enormous incentives for its proliferation, coupled with the lack of an effective institution that can investigate and prosecute the corrupt. Under the garb of liberalisation and privatisation, India has adopted policies by which natural resources and public assets (mineral resources, oil and gas, land, spectrum, and so on) have been allowed to be privatised without transparency or a process of public auctioning. Almost overnight, hundreds of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed by governments with private corporations, leasing out large tracts of land rich in mineral resources, forests and water. These allow the corporations to take away and sell the resources by paying the government a royalty, which is usually less than 1 per cent of the value of the resources.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde, has pointed out in a report on mining in Karnataka that the profit margins in such ventures are often more than 90 per cent. This leaves huge scope for bribe-giving and creates incentives for corruption. The same thing happened when A. Raja gave away spectrum without a public auction to companies at less than 10 per cent of its market price. Private monopolies in water and electricity distribution, airport development and so on have been allowed to be created, where huge and unconscionable levels of profit can be made by corrupting the regulator and allowing private monopolies to charge predatory prices. Tens of thousands of hectares have been given away to corporations for commercialisation in the guise of airport development, construction of highways, creation of Special Economic Zones and so on, at prices that are less than 10 per cent of the value of those tracts of land.

Apart from creating huge incentives for corruption, such policies have resulted in the involuntary displacement of lakhs of the poorest people, leaving them on the brink of starvation and forcing many of them to join the Maoists. The beneficiaries have stripped the land of natural resources (a good deal of which is exported) and destroyed the environment. Most ominously, such deals have resulted in the creation of monster corporations that are so powerful and influential that they have come to influence and virtually control all institutions of power — as we see from the Radia tapes.

While adopting policies that thus create huge incentives for corruption, we have not set up effective institutions to check corruption, investigate and prosecute the corrupt and bring them to justice. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to be under the administrative control of the government, which is seen as the fountainhead of corruption. Thus, no action is usually taken by the CBI to effectively investigate high-level corruption — except once in a while when the court forces its hand. Often we see the CBI itself behaving in a corrupt manner, with no other institution to investigate that. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which is supposed to supervise the CBI, has failed to act, since its own appointment process is riddled with conflicts of interest. The Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition (who has been a Minister and hopes to become Prime Minister one day) want to avoid their own accountability and are thus interested in having weak and pliable persons to man the institution that is expected to supervise the CBI. Moreover, the CVC and the CBI have to seek the government's sanction to investigate and prosecute wrongdoers; such sanction is usually not given when it comes to high-level corruption. The CVC depends on vigilance officers in various government departments. They are often middle-level officers from the same departments and cannot be expected to exercise vigilance over their bosses who write their confidential reports. The judiciary, which must try and convict the offenders, has become dysfunctional and is afflicted with corruption due to lack of accountability of the higher judiciary.
The draft Jan Lokpal bill seeks to create an institution that will be largely independent of those it seeks to police, and which will have effective powers to investigate and prosecute all public servants (including Ministers, MPs, bureaucrats, judges and so on) and others found guilty of corrupting them. Since corruption involves misconduct and gives rise to grievances, the draft proposes that the Lokpal will supervise the machinery to pursue disciplinary proceedings against government servants (the Vigilance Department) as well as the machinery to redress grievances. Thus, misconduct by government servants, and grievances, will come under the ambit of an independent authority rather than the government — where the machinery has become ineffective due to conflicts of interest. It is proposed that if the Lokpal finds that a contract is being given for corrupt considerations, it can stop the contract. It cannot otherwise interfere with government decisions or policy.
It has been said that this would create a super-cop with enormous powers and no accountability. There is a misconception that the proposed Lokpal will have judicial powers; there is no such provision in the bill. The need of the hour is to have an effective cop who can investigate and prosecute the high and mighty without interdiction from the very people who need to be prosecuted.
The bill seeks to make the Lokpal accountable. First, it is mandated to function transparently so that everything related to its functioning is known to the people (without compromising the investigation itself). Exemptions from disclosure provided in the Right to Information Act could be included. Secondly, the Lokpal's orders will be subject to review in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. Lastly, the members of the Lokpal could be removed for misconduct, by a five-member bench of the Supreme Court.
There has been some criticism of the Lokpal selection committee and the selection process. Given the erosion in the integrity of most of our state institutions, it was thought that the best bet would be to have a broad-based selection committee and build transparency and public participation into the selection process, while trying to keep out those who are most likely to be within the ambit of the Lokpal's investigations. That is why in the draft bill Ministers were sought to be kept out.
One criticism has been that this shows contempt for democracy. We have seen how the "democratically elected" Prime Minister, Home Minister and leaders of the opposition have normally selected weak and pliable CVCs. So the draft bill proposes a selection committee comprising the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Rajya Sabha Chairman, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Chief Election Commissioner, the two seniormost judges of the Supreme Court, two seniormost Chief Justices of High Courts, the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and the outgoing members of the Lokpal. This proposed composition of the committee will certainly be discussed, and perhaps improved upon, during public consultations and discussions within the drafting committee that will now take place.
It has been said that putting the function of redress of grievances on the plate of the Lokpal would make its work unmanageable. Though the Lokpal will only reorganise and supervise the grievance redress machinery (rather than dealing with each grievance itself), this is an issue that will be discussed openly by the committee. By next week, a website that will formally take in all the opinions and suggestions on the Jan Lokpal bill will be launched and announced. People are welcome to read, understand and send their comments on it, to be taken note of.
One must not, however, be under any illusion that the Lokpal law by itself would solve the problem of corruption. Unless we tackle and change the policies that create enormous incentives for corruption and monster corporations that become too powerful for any institution to control, the fight will be incomplete. The judiciary too is in need of comprehensive reforms.
But an independent, credible and empowered Lokpal is a necessary, though not a sufficient, condition to effectively control corruption. Let us work at least to put that in place.
(Prashant Bhushan is a senior Supreme Court lawyer and member of the joint committee to draft the Lokpal bill.)

Also read:
Since Anna Praised Modi - For Activists, Dalits and Muslims - 'All hell broke loose'....more

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Friday, April 8, 2011

BTN: Anna Hazare - Can He Help with Passing INDIAN COMMUNALISM BILL

Dear shabana:

Your thought is noble but I will show you today's realities

I am optimistic that some day Hindus and Christians will get along - as Christian community in India are by and large a peaceful community - only issue being religious conversions.

It is highly unlikely that Hindus (more specifically Right Wing) and Muslims  of this generation can get along. Moderate Muslim opinion has been hijacked by radicals and fundamentalists.

The divide seems deep. Even if they live in peace in one community, during crisis - they get carried by community emotions. Watch this movie Delhi-6 - How best friends can become worst enemy.
It is a must watch movie.

Rishi Kapoor,Waheeda Rahman and Abhishek Bachchan talking to each other

Please read this
Why Hindus are angry at Muslims in India ?

Mr. Anna Hazare's fast unto death won't be able to help here; even Gandhiji had failed to stop the partition massacre.

The situation of Muslims are complicated by - the Activists, Radicals and Imams.

After 9/11 - American Muslims are also facing tough time.; so it is not an India only problem.
'Radicalization of American Muslim' - Rep. Peter King killed CAIR today and a few moderate Muslim leaders are born today

It is a global phenomenon and a Muslim only problem i.e. only Muslims have to deal with their radicals to live in peace and earn the lost trust.

So, I think, it may take generations to heal the Hindu-Muslim divide.; Anna and Amir can't help.

This is of course my personal opinion..

Good luck to your noble thoughts..

BTW, communalism has nothing to with India's super power ambitions. It is "attitude" that matters - it is a little word but makes big difference. If we can deal with corruption - that is a first step towards becoming a Super Power.

Thanks
Manoj Padhi


On Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 12:41 PM, shabana qureshi <shabanaqureshi1977@yahoo.com> wrote:
Mr. ANNA  HAZARE  is an OUT Standing Personality &  Great that he has taken  Fast for

a   Noble  Cause  i,e  CORRUPTION.

  

APART  FROM   CORRUPTION  , COMMUNALISM  is  Another  ROAD BLOCK  which

can  PREVENT   INDIA  FROM  BECOMING  A   SUPER POWER  IN  THIS   DECADE.

 

(  Losers are all HINDUS  (  GODHRA ), CHRISTIANS ( Orissa ) , SIKHS  ( 1984 ) .... Majority Being Muslims   who are  Facing Riots  since Partition  Major  being 1992 ( Mumbai ), 2002 ( Gujarat ) etc.,

 

HOPE  SOME ONE TAKES UP  THIS CHALLENGE &  Get  the   COMMUNALISM  BILL

PENDING IN INDIAN PARLIAMENT  PASSED

 

IF    Mr.Hazare  or   Swami  AGNIVESH   or  Film Actor    Mr.AMIR  KHAN  can  take  up  this  Challenge MANY  INNCOCENTS  LIFE  &   PROPERTY of   INDIAN  CITIZENS  can be saved.














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Manoj Padhi

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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

BTN: Jan Lok Pal bill is the only hope - Both Congress and BJP seem panic

 
Dear fellow citizens:
 
Please go to the website and read the comparision of both Government bill and Jan Lokpal bill.
Salute the people who initiated this.
 
Hopefully, Anna Hazare will rescue our Nation.
You may note that while Congress has a culture of corruption
BJP was pretending to be honest.
 
It seems that Digvijay Singh was right when he told US Ambassador (Wiki Leaks), that the corrupt Establishment lobby in BJP won't like to see Shri Narendra Modi as PM.
If Anna Hazare gets support of BJP - Congress leaders have to follow suit.
 
Where are the RSS and VHP ? Why can't they make a phone call to Mr. Advani to support the Jan Lokpal bill ?
Sitting CMs Yedurappa, Mayawati, Sheila Dixit, Naveen Patnaik etc. will end up in jail with in 2 years..
 
Let's make that happen
 
Go to the above website and Write to PM. Support Anna. I can't fast even for 1 day - he looks like our Gandhi, (not like YSR's son Jagan) and mean it.
 
PM has accept Jan Lokpal Bill to save Anna from death. Write to Mr. Advani /Ms. Sonia Gandhi and RSS Chief as well.
 
Thanks
Manoj Padhi
 
BCC: Ms. Sonia Gandhi/Shri L.K.Advani

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Friday, April 1, 2011

BTN: ICC CRICKET INDIA SRILANKA FINAL LIVE STREAMING LINKS

ICC CRICKET INDIA SRILANKA FINAL LIVE STREAMING LINKS

In case some one is interested..

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BTN: पुनर्वास का असर बच्चों की शिक्षा पर

Dear Readers:
This is a thought provoking article..
Per latest census - we are now a country of 120 crore and growing @ 18%

With in 4 decades will will be around 200 crores - same country..

Education is the only hope for non-agricultural income and rehabilitation may have an adverse impact on children's education..

for your comments..

-Manoj Padhi


http://hindtoday.com/Blogs/ViewBlogsV2.aspx?HTAdvtId=7774&HTAdvtPlaceCode=IND
(comment link)

For your comments

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SADRE ALAM
Impact of Rehabilitation on Children's Education - By SADRE ALAM (Hindi)
BlogPosted By: hindtodaynews on:4/1/2011 12:20:28 AM

पुनर्वास का असर बच्चों की शिक्षा पर

तथाकथित नवीनीकरण की होड़ में दिल्ली को सजाने संवारने की कोशिश वैश्वीकरण के शुरु होते ही हो गई और अब तक सिलसिलेवार जारी है। नवीनीकरण के समर्थक गरीबों को ही नवीनीकरण के रास्ते का रोड़ा मानते हैं, इसी सोच के साथ कभी उनके रोजगार को तो कभी उनकी बस्ती को उजाड़ कर पुनर्वास किया जाता है तो कभी बिना पुनर्वास के खदेड़ कर बर्बाद होने छोड़ दिया जाता है। उसके बाद उनकी जिन्दगी नवीनीकरण की इंधन बन जाए यह चिन्ता किसी की नहीं होती। 



पुनर्वास के नाम पर इमरजेंसी के दौरान भी बहुत सी बस्तीयों को उजाड़कर नन्द नगरी, सुन्दर नगरी, दक्षिण पूरी, सीमा पूरी, त्रिलोक पूरी, इन्द्र पूरी जैसी कालोनियां बसाई गई। उस दौरान भी हजारों बच्चों का स्कूल छूटा और वे आज शहर में दर दर की ठोकरें खा रहे हैं। नवीनीकरण की होड़ में बड़े-बड़े शापिंग सेंटर  , ऊँची-ऊँची हाउसिंग सोसाईटीयां, फ्लाईओवर व मैट्रो, फ्लाईओवर के उपर से मैट्रो, पार्क, सड़क चैड़ीकरण आदि के लिए बड़े पैमाने पर झुग्गियों को उजाड़ा गया एंव उन में से बहुत कम को होलम्बी कला, होलम्बी खुर्द, टीकरी, भलस्वा, मोलड़ बन्द, मदनपुर खादर, हस्तसाल, बक्करवाला, पप्पन कला, रोहिणी, बवाना और सावदा घेवरा में पुनर्वासित किया गया। 

जब इन पुनर्वास कालोनियों में लोगों को बसाया गया तब वहां किसी भी प्रकार की कोई बुनियादी सुविधाऐं नहीं थी। धीरे-धीरे सड़क, पानी, बिजली, जैसी मूलभूत जरुरतें साल दर साल में आती गईं। कुछ वर्षों में कालोनी में मुश्किल से ही सही लेकिन जीने की जरुरतें पूरी होने लगीं। जैसा कि आम तौर पर देखा जाता है कि पुनर्वास का सब से ज्यादा प्रभाव लोगों के रोजगार पर पड़़ता है, चूंकि रोजगार के बिना जिन्दगी का चल पाना बिल्कुल सम्भव नहीं है। इसलिये या तो आस-पास किसी भी तरह का रोजगार तलाश कर लिया जाता है या जहां से झुग्गी उजाड़ी गई थी एंव रोजगार करते थे उसतक पहुंचने के साधनों का इंतजाम न होने के बावजूद लोग हर हालत में खुद कर लेते हैं। लेकिन कालोनी में स्कूल बनते-बनते चार पांच साल का समय बीत जाता है, जब तक बच्चों का पढ़ाई की तरफ से रूझान खतम हो चुका होता है। रोजगार खतम होने के कारण घर की आर्थिक हालत भी इतनी बदहाल हो चुकी होती है कि मां, बाप, भाई बहन सबको काम कर खर्च जुटाना पड़ता है। ऐसी हालत में बच्चों का बस एक ही काम बाकी रह जाता है कि वह दिन भर घर की रखवाली करे या घर के आस-पास इधर से उधर लुढ़कते रह। इनमें कुछ बच्चे इधर उधर जाकर कुड़ा चुनकर खाने व खेलने के सामान का इंतजाम कर लेते हैं। चूकि इससे कुछ पैसा मिल जाता है, यह देखकर बच्चे और भी आमदनी जुटाने की कोशिश करते-करते कुड़ा चुनने वाले बन कर रह जाते हैं। बच्चों का स्कूल छूटना, दोस्तों से बिछड़ना, खाने पीने की पोशानी उसे इतना चिड़चिड़ा कर देती है कि कुछ करने कर चाह में गलत रास्ते पर चल देने का पूरा अनुमान होता है। अगर गलत रास्ते पर चलने से बच भी जाए तो शिक्षा से वह बहुत दूर हो चुका होता है। इस हालत में दोबारा बच्चों में पढ़ने या सीखने की इच्छा पैदा करा पाना साकारी स्कूलों की न तो जिम्मेदारी होती है और न ही उन शिक्षकों की कोई दिलचस्पी। ऐसे में उन बच्चों को दोबारा स्कूल पहुंचाने की कोशिश सरकार को करनी चाहिए साथ ही साथ ऐसे कार्यक्रम चलाने की जरुरत है ताकि उनमें पढ़ने के प्रति दिलचस्पी पैदा की जा सके। 

इस तरह से न जाने और कितने उदाहरण है जो पुनर्वास के कारण बच्चे की जिंदगी में आते हैं। पढ़ाई का छूटना, दोस्तों का बिछड़ना, बचपन का छिन जाना एवं खाने पीने की कमी के कारण कुपोषित हो जाना अधिकतर बच्चों के साथ होता है। 

'' पुनर्वास का असर बच्चों की शिक्षा पर '' इस मुददे के विभिन्न पहलूओं को उजागर करने के लिए कि पुनर्वास से  बच्चों  का भविष्य खतम होता है, पुनर्वास और तथाकथित नवीनीकरण के ऐसे कदम कम से कम उठाये जायें। अगर पुनर्वास बहुत जरुरी है तो पहले सभी सुविधाओं के साथ पुनर्वास कालोनी में स्कूल का पूरा इंतजाम हो उसके बाद ही लोगों को पुनर्वासित किया जाए। जो बच्चे पुनर्वास के कारण पढ़ाई से वंचित हुये हैं, सरकार उनके लिये अलग से व्यवस्था करे। अन्यथा इन सभी पुनर्वास कालोनियों से आने वाले दिनों में लाखों स्कूल से छूटे बच्चे होंगे जो न केवल अशिक्षत होंगे बल्कि शिक्षा के प्रति उनकी एक घृणा भी होगी। 

पुनर्वास के कारण पढ़ाई का छूट जाना, बेकार इधर उधर भटकते रहना, खाने खेलने के इन्तजाम में चोरी पर उतर आना, बहुत कम बच्चों द्वारा पुराने जगह के आस पास ही रह कर पढ़ पाना, बहुत कम बच्चों द्वारा महंगे यातायात की व्यवस्था कर पुरानी जगह स्कूल जारी रखना, 4-5 साल बाद बहुत कम बच्चों द्वारा दोबारा स्कूल शुरु कर पाना एंव उस से जुड़ी मतात बिन्दुओं को पुनर्वास का पहलू मान कर सरकार को तुरन्त पहल करनी चाहिए, अन्यथा तथाकथित नवीनीकरण के कदम को बच्चों की शिक्षा का शत्रु मानते हुये खुद को गारीब बच्चों की शिक्षा का दुश्मन मान लेना चाहिये। और अगर ऐसा नहीं है तो आने वाले दिनों में अपनी हरकतों से साबित करे कि वह झुगगी में रहने वाले गरीब बच्चों के शिक्षा की दुश्मन नहीं है।

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