When I got up at 7 this morning, I thought of switching ON TV to catch the latest on Lokpal Vs Janlokpal. I could barely watched it for 10 minutes and there was Aruna Roy speaking about the Janlokpal and how people are being told that once this bill is passed, all the corruption would evaporate. She infact used the words which are currently in vogue, “Janlokpal is not a magic wand and people are selling false dreams to people”
To that I would say its high time one should give up this magic wand theory. No one is claiming that this bill would end all the corruption. No single law across the globe has been able to stop any crime completely. There are laws against rape and still the same crime happens. Similarly, there are laws against financial irregularities, murders, looting etc. Still these things are still very much there. A law may not be able to prevent something completely. Laws are there because they tend to serve as a deterrent too. There is no doubt that there would be cases of corruption even after Janlokpal comes into existence but because of Lokpal effect, if there is even 20% reduction in multi-million scams or 20% increase in conviction rate of the culprits, I would say it succeeded.
Jan Lokpal will fix accountability to some extent. And it will have powers to prosecute those who are usually out of every possible ambit. There are provisions of speedy trials and convictions. There is provision of similar officer in all the states which will try and curb corruption at state levels. Every government officer will be under its jurisdiction. RTI and Janlokpal would go hand it hand. Why not give it a chance!
People talk about the draconian nature of Janlokpal and that it would create a parallel power structure. In that case there are always provisions in constitution to repeal a bill! Wasn’t POTA draconian? Wasn’t it repealed? Do the same with Janlokpal if it doesn’t work.
Everyone including the politicians knows which bill is better. Unfortunately, there is always lack of political will whenever it is required most.
Cheers!
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