Letter from the Editor-In-Chief

Tussle over the Lokpal Bill

Dear friends,

August 2011

The much talked about Lokpal Bill was cleared by the Cabinet on the 26th of July, 2011. The Bill which was cleared was the one drafted by the Government. The Lokpal bill as drafted by Anna Hazare’s team did not find place in the Cabinet as the Government has its own opinion. They say that in a democratic frame work it is the legislative whish is to enact the laws in the Parliament. It was discussed but no consensus was reached between the Government and the civil society. Anna Hazare immediately reacted and termed this Bill a cruel joke and a betrayal to the people of India.

The major area of contention is whether the Prime Minister should be included within the ambit of this Bill. Though in the Cabinet the Prime Minister insisted that he be included in the Bill, the same was rejected by his colleagues including the NCP and Trinamool Congress leaders.

Anna Hazare has already announced that he is going to sit for an indefinite fast from August the 16th till his demands are met and if arrested he will fast inside the jail. Anna Hazare said “The people need to look at this as a second fight for their freedom and they should all come out to the streets.”

Eastern Panorama realizing the need to discourage corruption, conducted the first ever opinion poll in seven states of the North East with 820 respondents, which revealed some very interesting points. We have also quoted the opinions and mood of the people of the North East regarding this issue. I still remember, a few years back, the then minister Mr. Jai Ram Ramesh was lecturing at Synod College, Shillong in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister and former speaker Lok Sabha Mr. P.A. Sangma where he said that the Center is sending 15,000 crore every year to the North East where is this money going? This money is going in the pocket of ministers. This remark reflects his mindset that the entire North East is corrupt. But actually it is neither the North East nor India but our system itself which is corrupt.

True, August is the month when India celebrates the freedom of the country. It is to be seen whether freedom from corruption will ever be a reality. No right thinking person will ever dispute that corruption is injurious not only to the economy of the country but also to the minds of the people. Is it possible that introduction of technology in the administration of the government, reduction in the duplication of the government administration i.e. moving one file from one table to several tables, reduction in high rates of excise duty, rationalization of custom duty and simplification of taxation laws can go a long way to reduce corruption and black money from the nation?

In the light of this background, our cover story this month will reveal many interesting facts and figures. Read and enjoy.