India's history has been full of movements- political, social, democratic. It started as means to end the tyranny of the Queen's rule, and continued to dominate free India to keep the elected government from changing the country from a democracy to a monarchy. Some of the movements were genuine efforts by true patriots of the country while others were just a move by the politicians or the political parties to woo the citizens in contributing to vote banks. The question which comes to mind is: Is the most talked about Lokpal Bill an effective way to curb and cure corruption in this rotten and infested country like ours OR is it just being hyped unnecessarily to create a feeling of discontent against the ruling government. The interpretations can be in-numerous- all that matters are the results, in the end.
A few questions first to ascertain the role of Lokpal in our country and society:
1. Where does corruption arise from?
Corruption is in the blood of every citizen today. We teach our children, student, siblings, spouses to bribe. As parents we say, "Do this and you'll get this." Our teachers tell us, "I'll teach for 20 more minutes and then the rest of the period will be free." "If you give this present on my birthday, I'll give you that on yours" is what our siblings say to us. From the very childhood, we are fed with the idea of giving something in return of some work which others are meant to do. We never hesitate in giving an extra fee for facilities which we are bound to receive as tax-paying citizens.
In an overpopulated country like ours, paying a little extra is never an issue in the masses. It is a privilege to be wealthy and the rich tend to exploit it to the fullest. The Lokpal might punish the people who take bribes, but what about the people who feel bribing is an easy way out of the red-tapism. People start taking bribes so easily because we, the citizens, like bribing to make our jobs easier.
2. Who will administer the Lokpal?
The Lokpal is a hot cake right now and all the power seekers cum radicals want a piece of it. They want to ascertain their control over it by being a part of the administration section. They might put the needs of the country before their own needs but what about the successors. In our over-populated country where there is a survival of the fittest, everybody wants to fill their own pockets first. What if the administrators become corrupt? Who will look after the whole affair then? Even if the road is paved and the vehicle is ready, one cannot reach the destination without a good driver.
I do not mean to say that every individual is a corrupt, money eating leech. The area of concern for me are the persons who will appoint the people to administer the Lokpal. Politicians and bureaucrats will always look for a way to make their job easy by making someone take control of the body who is completely influenced by them. This again will lead to corruption of the anti-corruption body. Public voting is a system of fooling people because in the end coalitions and alliances are formed in such a way that the person/party with highest number of votes relatively, never get the post.
3. How will the corrupt react with the sudden restrictions?
Corruption is most widespread in government offices because of the job security. When the employees know that their job is secure they do not tend to feel motivated to work and perform their duties. Thus, the frustration among the citizens lead to paying that extra "fee" to get their work done. This develops into a habit amongst the employees as no one minds making a few extra bucks. Now, when the employees feel threatened before asking for a bribe, what will be the motivating factor for them to work again.
To cure this problem, the employees should be accountable for any mistakes they make or any delay in work from their side. Else, they will exploit on the point that they cannot ask for money themselves but if they do not work properly, a significant portion of the public will be willing to pay an extra fee just to get their job done.
I would request you not to take me as someone against Lokpal. All I want to point out is that all the hype created around the Lokpal might end up disappointing people more than curing the epidemic corruption in the country. Corruption is not something which can be solved by passing a bill in the parliament and creating a body of a few not-so-corrupt individuals. Anti-corruption bodies have always been present in the country. It is not an idea being conceived and implemented for the first time. If a few speeches and hunger strikes could have freed us from the clutches of corruption, then West Bengal would have been the best state to live in. Alas, the harsh reality bites hard at us.
"Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely" ~ Lord Acton
its a never ending cycle.
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