Who would you nominate on the panel for Lokpal Bill?

The wish to have an anti-corruption ombudsman is not new. Lokpal Bill was first introduced way back in 1968! And subsequently in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2008, but unfortunately they were never passed. All these years, politicians have been successfully able to avoid it for reasons well known to them. Were they sincere to their office and the oath they took while assuming their offices!

The root of corruption that took birth with emergence of a new political class – post independence, has by now developed a well established system that has pervaded and got well entrenched into our civil administration, judiciary, government offices, business houses and into every facet of life that affects the life of a common man. I feel that almost 100% of our grown up population must have had first-hand experience of corruption – in one form or the other.

After all these years, a momentum has been created against corruption. Anna Hazare has been able to create a lot of awareness among the masses on the Lokpal Bill and provide the much needed thrust to pressurize the political class to re-draft the Lokpal Bill and pass it in the coming monsoon session. However, all this effort may go down the drain and 2011 too would appear in the above referred list of years when a failed attempt was made to get the Lokpal Bill passed. Hence, it is very important to keep up the momentum.

The most worrying factor today is non-availability of enough persons from civil society with un-doubtable integrity and enough intelligence who can be on the panel for finalisation of the Lokpal Bill. The CDs involving Bhushans with some shady deals are said to be available! Kejriwal and Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde are the members who can be depended upon. Who else?

Since the proposed Lokpal Bill is primarily to rein in corruption, only personalities with impeccable track record should be nominated on the panel- whether from political field or from civil society. Given the powers to nominate, I would have nominated these two members for sure- Mr. Abdul Kalaam and Ms. Kiran Bedi – for their integrity, for their passion towards their profession, for their commitment and for the values they have stood for.

Who would you nominate on the panel for Lokpal Bill?

madhukarmohan@gmail.com