Ex-VC Agra Univ writes over Lokpal bill

From :

Dr. S.S.Gupta, Ph.D., D.Litt.

Ex  Vice Chanceller, AGRA UNIVERSITY, Agra

6o, Janakpuri,

ALIGARH-202001

Phone 0571-250-2019

Dated the 22 nd April,2011

Dear Sir,

Anna Hazare, with the help of known lawyers prepared a peoples LOKPAL Bill. He is keen to get it make a law, within a specified time limit, with the help of Government, after the necessary changes. It appears that the promoters of corruption are worried and so they are flanging corruption charges on the members of the law committee. One wonders, why these  people, whose public image is not  good  , are not saying a word against the Govt. nominees of the committee . When the image of some of the Govt. nominees is also not good. Does it not prove the intention of the four persons, who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of tarnishing the image of Anna and his co-workers. The people of India should know the truth and be not lead away by their motivated propaganda. They are not the well wishers of India and its people.

Yours,

S.S.Gupta

Not only law but society should also condemn corrupts strongly

Bribery is the most common form of corruption which we encounter around us; Bhopal based journalist Shahnawaz Akhtar, recounts an experience with Voice4You which goes back to year 1995. This was the time when he was a fresh lime water, pure and soothing unaware of the heat of the rough patches. For some purpose he had to obtain a residential certificate which is issued by the perhaps the lowest level of the government institution –Block. He took unmemorable number of rounds of the office just to save Rs 5, which was being asked as a bribe from the clerk in order to issue him the certificate. In those days Rs 5 used to be enough to call for a treat with sumptuous jalebi or crispy pakaure, so he was not ready to give up. Finally he succeeded by becoming a whistle blower as he complained about the incident to the superior officer, Now he strongly voices that don’t pay bribe then there will be no taker . Below is his experience in his own words.

I refused to pay the money, but the other students some of them were college friends, had no problem in paying the bribe. They easily bribed the clerk in order to get their work done. But I told them, you people are giving birth to a system in which without bribing the official no work would get done in future. I am proud that I had full conviction for my duty as a citizen and not be party to any evil.  Eventually I complained to the (Block Development Officer) BDO who heads the office. And to my muse the work done without paying any bribe. But the disappointing part was that no action taken against the clerk who must have continued his briber and many would have certain bowed to it. But I am sure had everyone would have understood the other side that giving bribe is also crime then perhaps the scene would not have been this.

16-year down the line, today, my fear has become a reality and now not only the bribe rate has gone several degrees high but people are confronting the bribe monster for getting even a petty work from a government  department.

Here, I strongly profess that its I who believe that it is the "we" the common men who can change the corrupt system of our own, I also believe that the four pillars of democracy- judiciary, legislative,  executive and media has got more role to play.

Because we live in a country where even after over 60 years of independence thirty percent people are still illiterate. And more than half of the 120 billion population is uneducated. Those who come under four pillars remain the privileged ones in society so obviously their role become bigger.  

But if we really want to uproot the corruption, we should check not only the politicians who but bureaucrats as well.

Most of the politicians, who become MP or MLA got elected only for one term and their work or job remain insecure. But a bureaucrat got a secure job and they more or less remain on their respective posts for 30 years. They get a handsome salary but still they remain involved in the corruption either to please netas or to live more luxurious life.

The judiciary and media who actually play the monitoring role should also watch what is going on beneath them. The lower area of the two important parts of democracy has more corruption than one can imagine.

And the most important, we should have a society where a corrupt should be treated like an anti-social one not only be the law but by us also.

So, before it gets too late, lets play each ones role!

Akhtar is state correspondent with leading news agency IANS, he can be contacted at shah.journ@gmail.com

...And the row continues

The uproar over the alleged involvement of Jayant Bhushan and Shanti Bhushan, representatives of the civil society in the drafting committee of Lokpal Bill, in obtaining farm land from the Mayawati government from her discretionary quota has raised question mark over the clean image of even the most trusted people in the committee. The numerous media reports highlighting allegations of people from several walk of life has added to the furor. 

Voice4You is the first to bring to you the story straight from the horses mouth, Shanti Bhushan. Another member of the committee who represents the civil society Mukund Parikh writes in support of Bhushan. 

SHANTI BHUSHAN, SENIOR ADVOCATE

Press statement on allotment of plots

The report in the Indian Express this morning mischievously suggests that Jayant Bhushan and I have taken two farm plots from Mayawati from her discretionary quota. This is also a part of the malicious campaign by those corrupt, influential people who are afraid that my presence in the drafting committee may result in a tough law against corruption in the form of a Lokpal bill.

These are not allotment from any discretionary quota. In January 2009 a scheme was advertised by NOIDA authorities who were described as an open-ended scheme for allotment of farmhouse plots in NOIDA with size of plots 10,000 square meters or above. The rate of allotment was mentioned as 3,100 rupees per square meter plus location charges as applicable. Eligibility criteria and other details were mentioned in the brochure. A soft copy of the application form for allotment of farmhouse plots was also included in the brochure.

An amount of Rs 31,00,000 was payable with the application, which was paid along with the application in March 2009. Intimation about reservation of one plot was received on 18/1/2010. After identification of the plot numbers, a communication was received by NOIDA authorities on 5/1/2011 allotting plot number FH19 in sector 165 measuring 10,000 square meters which intimated that the total premium on the plots was 3,67,50,000 and registration money was 31,00,000 and the annual lease rent was to be 9,18,750 per year.

So far, possession has not been delivered, nor the lease deal executed. It is only after the plot has been made approachable by construction of roads that possession would be delivered and lease executed.

To suggest that the allotment has been obtained from any discretionary quota is totally false and misleading. In fact, when we applied in March 2009, and as required attached the project report prepared by an architect and a statement on the means and finance, showing that the entire amount would be available from our bank deposits, we also expected that if the number of applicants was more than the number of plots planned there would be a draw of lots and we were surprised when an intimation in January 2010 was received that without any draw of lots a plot was being offered to us. We assumed that probably fewer persons might have applied for the plots than the number of plots planned by the NOIDA authority and therefore all applicants might have been offered plots. This belief was due to the fact that the financial terms were very stringent particularly as in addition to the premium of 3 and a half crores, there was to be an annual rent of more than 9 lacs per year. If there has been any arbitrariness in the allotment of the plots, the allotments should be cancelled and we would certainly not challenge the cancellation. 

It is also to be noted that both myself and my son Jayant Bhushan have been fighting cases against Mayawati in courts and the question of obtaining favours from her or her govt does not arise at all. Jayant was fighting the case against the Mayawati government on the Mayawati statues along the Noida bird sanctuary. I and Prashant Bhushan have been regularly appearing in PILs against Mayawati in the Taj corridor case even as recently as last week. These cases are still continuing.

Mukund Parikh, Mumbai:

Respected Sir,

I introduce myself as Mukund K. Parikh, ex-GM of Indian large renowned industrial groups after dedicated services at top level of 30 years or so. Presently, I am doing social services to my best extent in Mumbai at my own cost. I have been honoured with VP post of Bhrastachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Samiti, Upnagar Mumbai (Anna Hazare Est.) and Advisory Council member of Forum of Fast Justice, Janhit Manch known to you and many others. 

I strongly feel that all learned citizens and others surely know civil society members’ dedication, integrity, motives, national interest and yeoman services have been rendering at all cost. Hence I earnestly request not to get disheartened by such nonsensical and malicious campaign of all concerned in whatsoever manner. In fact dignitaries like you must derive strength out of it to fight till ultimate goal of national interest is achieved. Rest assure not only our Anna (elder brother) but all his committed soldiers, citizens of India including vibrant youth and many more will surely stand by our panel members.  

In reality, I am happy that politician like Amar Singh has come out with such nastiness now which is nothing but himself exposing only. It clearly establishes that how corrupt politicians firstly squeezes common man, bending so called legal systems and lastly when they are rarely challenged, they adopt all means to get out of it in spendthrift manner at public cost.

 Respected Sir, may I ask you what relevance it has with your past professional services availed by such? Was it not his desperation even if it may be true? Has it any relevance to drafting of Lokpal Bill by joint committee? Why almost all political parties and his most of thick friends/colleagues dumped him? What is his present and future political status (ye janta hai, sab janti hai, wait and watch)? Dose he not know mis-deeds of other panel ministers? Does he have gust to make them public? Does he not aspiring place in other political parties? Does he not shivering because of proposed Lokpal Bill alike many others? I strongly believe that civil society members must throw open challenge to him to first support passing of Lokpal Bill then all civil society members are prepared to face any allegations against them before Lok Ayukta. 

It will be not out of context to say here that when Shailesh Gandhi was appointed S.C. he openly announced that he will resign if he is not able to fit into to present corrupt system. I am sure that he still remembers encouraging words of Lord Krishna to Arjun: “Not to leave battle field and runaway but get-up and fight this Dharmayudh otherwise you will be everlasting dishonour which will be more than a death”. I also said to him that be within system and fight it out like true crusader of RTI. Please do have a look to the most relevant shlokas: 31 to 38, Chapter II, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta so as to remove all anxieties that any human passes through under similar circumstances. I am ardent follower of Lord Krishna preaching in Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and other Upanishads which has eternal truths and all possible solutions for mankind. 

I am too small to write this to you but honestly feel that civil society members should not let down citizens and next generations by any in-action for which you all have put whole heart and soul otherwise it will be criminal waste and disservice to society. I am prepared to sacrifice all that I can do for all of you. 

I shall ever remember:

1.     Anna’s golden words while leaving Ralegan Siddhi for Mumbai when entire village was weeping and he consoled them by saying to remember that how mother of Sahid Bhagat Singh had given parting to him while he was to be hanged,

2.     Repetition of same words to me when I urged him to take care of his health on podium of public meeting held on 03^rd April, 2011 at Mumbai organised by our colleague of Bhrastachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, Mumbai (Anna Hazare Est.), attended by over 5500 spirited common men  before coming to New Delhi, on 4^th April ,2011,

3.     Tears shed by Anna on 5^th April, 2011 at Gandhi Samadhi before he went on unto death fast at Jantar Mantar.

With Best regards and praying almighty for your success in national interest,

.

Prioritize duties, not rights to kill corruption

 

Nabeel A Khan

Sixty four years have passed but we continue to be embroiled in the spiral of corruption. We have witnessed all forms of scams in a series all these years- from coffin to bicycle to fodder and with time the size of the omnipresent malice and involvement of people have been making a northward move. The story of corruption which started in India soon after the independence in 1948 when V. K. Krishna Menon, then the Indian high commissioner to Britain, bypassed protocol to sign a deal worth Rs 80 lakh with a foreign firm for the purchase of army jeeps. The case was closed in 1955 and soon after that Menon joined the Nehru cabinet. Now the phenomenon is a part and parcel of life at every nook and corner of the country.

It is an irony that in a country with over one billion population, where every single individual shows (in words) to be the most upset due to spreading tentacles of corruption but the eloquent enigma continues to persist that how the demon remained alive. The only statement that comes from most corners is that ‘nothing can be done about it’ and finally all the blames are smacked primarily on the politicians as if they have landed on this earth from some other planet. Before you get me wrong, let me clarify that I have no intention to give a clean chit to the white-khadi clad people and I know their vital role in the germination of dishonesty in the country. But do we not need to think that how can these few thousand people overpower billions who claim to have abstained from the evil pie. 

However, in this long time period we have seen a number of campaigns and demonstrations erupting against corruption but none has been effective so far. They came and faded and in my view the only reason was that all the while the main focus was to put entire blame on a particular class of the society and no one emphasized on their own responsibilities. The proper execution of responsibilities or duties of the people is mightier than the rights. So if everyone performs his/her duties and responsibilities properly it will ultimately result into fulfilling the rights of others. So in order to form a clean and corruption-free society, we need to shift our prime focus to act upon the duties rather than rights. And we really don’t need to be somebody to have a duty or responsibility; at whatever level or status we are we all have some responsibilities attached. Suppose you are walking on the road- you have certain duty as a pedestrian –like you should always cross the road from zebra crossing, do not come in the main road and walk only in the pedestrian lane. Similarly if you are driving it’s your duty to give the first right to the pedestrian to cross the road. 

We all know an old adage ‘it needs two to tango’ so for any action there has to be a respondent, single handedly nothing can be done. Let’s take example of a petty bribery, which is apparently the most common form of corruption in India. There has to be a giver and then only there will be a taker. And we cannot shirk away by just putting all blame on one section of people as we witnessed that no one is left from being party to corruption including educationist, corporate, sportsperson, army, judiciary, policemen, media, investigative agencies, civil society or a petty clerk. They all have contributed to down rooted corruption in the country.

So, if we count the number of people supporting Anna Hazare, a noted social activist, for an anti-corruption cause, and consider that they all were really serious and committed then the graph of corruption should be substantially low. After all the millions of people who took to the street to support Hazare, at least some of them must have been part of the system as well.  I guess a substantial percentage of people who were making a statement in the recent event at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi somehow had the opportunity to eradicate corruption at their levels. But had they really stopped their direct or indirect involvement in any kind of irregularities. The kind of answer comes to your mind is the real concern. So we just not need to be upset with the corruption in words but also in action. The other concern is that just passing legislation is not enough the full implementation holds the real key. We have a number of existing laws against corruption but why have we not been able to stop it. We have got Right to Information Act then why are we not able to save people who are risking their lives to expose the corrupts. We can get the answer for all these by seeing inside us as how many times have we really lived for the society and supported such causes. 

According to a survey report revealed by Transparency International in December, 2010, 50 percent of the Indian had admitted to paid petty bribe in the last 12 months to get their job done. And half of the people said that they paid the bribe to avoid problem with the authorities and a quarter of them said that they paid the bribe to speed up the process.

The other interesting fact which the report revealed was that the bribes to the police have almost doubled since 2006 and an increased number of people reported paying bribe to the judiciary and permit service divisions. Other shocking fact revealed in the report was that the lower income earner (touted as common man) paid more bribes than higher income earners. The report further added that the poorer people are twice likely to pay bribe for basic services such as utilities, medical services, and education than their wealthier counterparts.

Going by simple calculations of the presented statistics we will notice that almost every individual is directly or indirectly party to the pandemic of corruption and now only way forward looks is to start turning the fingers towards ourselves. The main reason for the launch of Voice4You is to call for a holistic introspection amongst the fellow citizen for a cleaner and corruption-free society.