On the advice of Anna Hazare his supporters went on demonstration to “gherao” the houses of some Ministers and MP's in Delhi to force them to support the Jan Lokpal Bill. In Goa supporters of anti-corruption movemet “gheraoed” the house of Sardinha the Cong. MP from South Goa. In Delhi they demonstrated in front of the houses of Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Sing and Pranab Mukerjee. This is one of the methods of civil disobedience movement.
During the Konkani language agitation in mid eighties I was on vacation in Goa and at that time we the Konkani lover agitationists almost every second day taking out rallies from Panjim Azad Maidan and going to Altinho in demonstration shouting slogans in front of the bungalows of Ministers residing there like Maharajs at the cost of Goan taxpayers. We were demonstrating in front of their residential bungalows to indicate our anguish to them over their apathy towards Konkani in not supporting Konkani cause in the Legislative Assembly. During so many demonstrations only once we encountered one minister that was Harish Zantye who seeing us shouting slogans in front of his Bungalow came to the balcony of his first floor like a Maharaja and smiled at us like a big “BAIZON” without uttering a single word. Activist Aires Rodrigues from Ribandar who was one of the prominent persons leading the demonstration loudly asked Zantye “what is your reaction to this demonstration?” For which Zantya again smiled like a big “KHETEM”.
Then we went in the demonstration to two Ministers bungalows but unfortunately neither of them came out to see us. When enquired with their guards, we were confidentially told that one of the ministers a Hindu Romeo was busy in having Sex with a Christian girl with a promise to offer her a government job while the other a Christian Minister was busy counting currency notes in lakhs which he received as bribe to allot a contract to the local contractor. Both the Ministers who refused to see us were corrupt like any other Goan minister. This is the quality of our ministers, now it is worst for this reason the imperative need of the Lokpal Bill.
The campaign that Anna Hazare carrying now against corruption is done on behalf of every Indian citizen for this reason there is so much of support for his campaign spontaneously from every Indian. Anna Hazare is become the mouthpiece of every Indian who is disgusted with the corruption going on in India. Like 42 years Libyans tolerated suppression from Col. Ghaddafi and now revolted against his autocratic rule, in the same manner over 4 decades Indians tolerated corruption of Indian governments under Congress, Janata and BJP and finally like Libyans revolted against the government of India for tolerating corruption for such a long period.
The Libyan revolution was created by the young generation within the range of 40 while the current anti-corruption revolution in India is largely supported by the youth because they must gain the benefit of corruption free India. The benefits of Indian freedom were acquired by the politicians and their family members only but now the benefits of anti-corruption movement will surely go to every Indian whether politician or not politician.
In the aftermath of the independence of India, Indian politicians succeeded in creating for them and their children a new class of Indians that is a class of New Kings and New Maharajas; if father is a MLA or MP or a Minister his sons or daughters and grandchildren should also follow their parents and grand parents. It is like Kingdom or Sheikhdom passing from father to the son and so on. While in the aftermath of the Lokpal Bill artificial Kingship and artificial Maharajaship will come to an end in India.
The point of saturation is already reached for people’s tolerance of corruption in India. Congress leadership will have no option but to surrender to Annaji otherwise there will be chaos in India for which only the current government of India in Delhi will be responsible. The anti-corruption movement going on in India is not of Annaji only, it is the movement of every Indian and they will not keep silence till justice is done. The government of India and its leadership failed to read the temperature of the mood of Indian people. Just like Indira Gandhi who failed to read the mood of the Indians during the emergency rule in India and thinking that people will re-elect her she went for general election in 1977 and got a royal kick on her back.
In the spectrum of Ana Hazare’s movement Indian leadership at the Centre in Delhi totally failed and thereby it failed the dignity of every Indian giving an indication that Indian leadership is not into the hands of matured people. As an Indian I am afraid to tell that Indian political administration is in the hands of wrong people who may commit any blunder while dealing with our neighbours. Good that China fought a war with India in 1962 only and captured only a piece of land from India. If it is now, due to immaturity of our leadership, taking advantage of the weakness of our leadership, China would capture whole of India. Good that India fought the Bangladesh war in 1971 only. If it is now, instead of liberating East Pakistan our gullible leadership would give to Pakistan on silver platter Indian West Bengal also. I am afraid of India’s security because Indian leadership is in the hands of rogues and wrong people. These Indian rogues may even sell a part of India to our belligerent neighbours. This is the third class quality of Indian leadership.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Kwait
August 26, 2011
NAMES OF GOA POLITICIANS ON INTELIGENCE AGENCIES WATCH.
To,
Goa Kranti.
Kindly read below the article from Goa Chronicle. It also appeared on goancauses.com. May be the countries mentioned are not entirely true but the sources of ill gotten wealth are justified. Some of this wealth will be used in the forthcoming elections specially in Salcette. Most probably all these politicians will win the next elections, because we goans have become eunuchs. I bow my head in utter disgust.
Regards,
Xavier Furtado
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Elias Monteiro
To: goancauses
Sent: Tue, 16 August, 2011 0:34:58
Subject: [goancauses] Names of Goa Politicians on Intelligence Agencies Watch
Names of Goa Politicians on Intelligence Agencies Watch
GoaChronicle
Saturday, 13 August 2011 13:07
In our expose ‘Black Money Trail: Goa Politicians under Intelligence Agencies Radar’ we mentioned that politicians of Goa of cabinet rank status and members of the Goa Legislative Assembly were being watched by the Central Intelligence agencies as part of their investigations following the black money trail especially Hassan Ali money-laundering racket. GoaChronicle.com now exposes the politicians under radar…
Investigations into the Hassan Ali trail is still on even though he recently got bail; as well as investigations into the Indian politicians and businessmen black money trail; GoaChronicle.com through its sources in the Central Intelligence Agencies has learnt that 60 names from Goa including politicians and businessmen are constantly under watch – movements, communications, associates and travel are all monitored and we had mentioned this in our previous expose.
Of the 60 names we have exposed that 6 cabinet rank ministers and 13 members of legislative assembly from Goa are under constant watch, including their family members and known associates. Intelligence agencies have also managed to track down some of their foreign bank accounts.
Please note that the names mentioned in this expose are not names come out of the 700 account details in Swiss Banks given by the French Government to the Indian Government; which is currently being scrutinized into by the Union Ministry of Finance and Enforcement Directorate. We will release those details as soon as we get more information. The names of the politicians we are exposing are a part of the Black Money Trail coming out the Hassan Ali investigations into money-laundering and these politicians are under radar; formal report will come-out post the investigations as revealed to us by a senior ranking Intelligence agency officer of the rank of Joint Director.
The 6 cabinet rank ministers under serious watch are
Digambar Kamat – Chief Minister also holding the Town & Country Planning portfolio. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Singapore, Moscow -Russia, Beijing in China and Mauritius. Sources of funds are expected to be from mining, real estate, industries, casino relations and current ministerial portfolio.
Churchill Alemao – PWD Minister. Intelligence agencies are investigating his bank accounts in Dubai - United Arab Emirates, Doha – Qatar, Kuwait and Lisbon- Portugal; other countries where they expect bank accounts to be held are Muscat -Oman, Mauritius and London – United Kingdom. While the sources of his funds have not been zeroed down on it is expected to be coming from mining, money-laundering, real estate, drugs, casino relations, protection money and current ministerial portfolio. His real estate assets in the Gulf countries and Portugal are also under scrutiny.
Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate – Minister for Education. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai – United Arab Emirates, St Petersburg – Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore and Mauritius. Intelligence agencies watching him indicate that his sources of fund come from self-owned businesses, real estate, money-laundering, casino relations, protection money and though not confirmed escort services is also one business model of his fund generations. The minister was recently detained by customs officials at the Mumbai airport for carrying foreign currencies to Dubai above the government permissible limits. He was however let go after investigations. His real estate assets in Gulf countries, South America and Europe have been identified, investigations are still on.
Joaquim Alemao – Urban Development Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his accounts in Dubai – United Arab Emirates, Doha – Qatar, Kuwait and London. Possibility of accounts in Mauritius and Lisbon – Portugal have not been ruled out. His sources of funds are mining, real estate, casino relations, protection money and current portfolio.
Ravi Naik – Home Minister is currently under suspicion owing to the police-politician drug nexus, intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Singapore, London, Thailand, Germany and Switzerland. His sources of funds are considered to be protection money, real estate, mining, money-laundering and drugs.
Other Cabinet Ministers on the radar are;
Alexio Sequeira – Power Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Lisbon – Portugal, Dubai – United Arab Emirates and London – United Kingdom. Real estate, mining, self-owned businesses and current portfolio are the sectors being considered as his source of funds.
Vishwajeet Rane – Health Minister & Agriculture Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, London, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Mauritius and Russia. Real estate, drugs, casino relations, money-laundering, escort services and self-owned businesses.
Jose Philip DeSouza – Revenue Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, Doha – Qatar and Thailand. His sources of funds are protection money, money laundering, real estate and current portfolio. Intelligence agencies are also probing links of this minister to a probable counterfeit money racket, though it is still under investigations, there appears to be serious suspicion in light of the recent counterfeit money found in one of the Casinos and a trail has led to the Revenue Minister, who has denied all knowledge of it.
Other Members of the Goa Legislative Assembly under watch
Agnelo Fernandes – Calangute MLA. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, Doha, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore and Thailand. His sources of funds are expected to be protection money, drugs, real estate and escort services, money-laundering and self-owned business. He is also supposed to have picked up real estate in Brazil and Argentina.
Mickky Pacheco – Benaulim MLA. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, United States of America. They suspect that he also have an account in London. Real estate, protection money and money laundering are being investigated as his sources of funds.
Mauvin Godinho – Deputy Speaker & MLA Cortalim. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, Doha and London. His suspected sources of funds are real estate and protection money. Though money-laundering is also being investigated.
Pratapsingh Rane – Speaker & MLA Poreim. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Switzerland, Germany, London, Singapore and other South Asians countries (though no exact details have been got on it yet). His sources of funds are considered to be real estate, mining and self-owned businesses.
Other ministers under intelligence periphery watch are also Nilkanth Halarnkar, Tourism Minister and Deepak Dhavalikar, Transport Minister though intelligence agencies reveal that nothing yet startling has come out.
Among the other members of the Goa Legislative assembly under periphery watch are Dayanand Narvekar – MLA Aldona, Curchorem MLA Shyam Saterdekar, Quepem MLA Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kawalekar, St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes and Manohar ‘Babu’ Azgaonkar from the current Congress MLAs. Among the BJP MLAs under intelligence radar are Laxmikant Parsekar, Manohar Parrikar, Damodar Naik, Francis DeSouza and Dayanand Mandrekar. While nothing yet has come out of these MLAs, intelligence agencies are still keeping a watch.
Investigations into the Hassan Ali trail have revealed that 70 per cent of most transaction originates from Mumbai and Goa. Money laundering, mining, real estate, casino relations, drugs and protection money is coming out as main sources of the black money.
At this point of time GoaChronicle.com would not like to speculate on the guilt or innocence of any minister or MLA. Our job as an investigative media is to bring information to the people of Goa. This information has been revealed to us by a senior officer of the Central Intelligence agency of the rank of joint director. We have also been told that currently the above details are under investigations; though at this point there seems to be nexus between politicians in the money-laundering racket and their frequent travels internationally is bringing the cloud of suspicion on them and them holding international bank accounts. No details on amounts that politicians have in these accounts have been revealed as yet. A report on these investigations is expected to be released before the end of this year.
The question however that does now get thrown open is if the investigations into the black money trail does in fact indict or directly implicate any of the ministers or members of the Legislative Assembly, will the people of Goa stand up against what can be seen as misuse of government office, political clout and taking the people of Goa for a complete ride.
Goa Kranti.
Kindly read below the article from Goa Chronicle. It also appeared on goancauses.com. May be the countries mentioned are not entirely true but the sources of ill gotten wealth are justified. Some of this wealth will be used in the forthcoming elections specially in Salcette. Most probably all these politicians will win the next elections, because we goans have become eunuchs. I bow my head in utter disgust.
Regards,
Xavier Furtado
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Elias Monteiro
To: goancauses
Sent: Tue, 16 August, 2011 0:34:58
Subject: [goancauses] Names of Goa Politicians on Intelligence Agencies Watch
Names of Goa Politicians on Intelligence Agencies Watch
GoaChronicle
Saturday, 13 August 2011 13:07
In our expose ‘Black Money Trail: Goa Politicians under Intelligence Agencies Radar’ we mentioned that politicians of Goa of cabinet rank status and members of the Goa Legislative Assembly were being watched by the Central Intelligence agencies as part of their investigations following the black money trail especially Hassan Ali money-laundering racket. GoaChronicle.com now exposes the politicians under radar…
Investigations into the Hassan Ali trail is still on even though he recently got bail; as well as investigations into the Indian politicians and businessmen black money trail; GoaChronicle.com through its sources in the Central Intelligence Agencies has learnt that 60 names from Goa including politicians and businessmen are constantly under watch – movements, communications, associates and travel are all monitored and we had mentioned this in our previous expose.
Of the 60 names we have exposed that 6 cabinet rank ministers and 13 members of legislative assembly from Goa are under constant watch, including their family members and known associates. Intelligence agencies have also managed to track down some of their foreign bank accounts.
Please note that the names mentioned in this expose are not names come out of the 700 account details in Swiss Banks given by the French Government to the Indian Government; which is currently being scrutinized into by the Union Ministry of Finance and Enforcement Directorate. We will release those details as soon as we get more information. The names of the politicians we are exposing are a part of the Black Money Trail coming out the Hassan Ali investigations into money-laundering and these politicians are under radar; formal report will come-out post the investigations as revealed to us by a senior ranking Intelligence agency officer of the rank of Joint Director.
The 6 cabinet rank ministers under serious watch are
Digambar Kamat – Chief Minister also holding the Town & Country Planning portfolio. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Singapore, Moscow -Russia, Beijing in China and Mauritius. Sources of funds are expected to be from mining, real estate, industries, casino relations and current ministerial portfolio.
Churchill Alemao – PWD Minister. Intelligence agencies are investigating his bank accounts in Dubai - United Arab Emirates, Doha – Qatar, Kuwait and Lisbon- Portugal; other countries where they expect bank accounts to be held are Muscat -Oman, Mauritius and London – United Kingdom. While the sources of his funds have not been zeroed down on it is expected to be coming from mining, money-laundering, real estate, drugs, casino relations, protection money and current ministerial portfolio. His real estate assets in the Gulf countries and Portugal are also under scrutiny.
Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate – Minister for Education. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai – United Arab Emirates, St Petersburg – Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore and Mauritius. Intelligence agencies watching him indicate that his sources of fund come from self-owned businesses, real estate, money-laundering, casino relations, protection money and though not confirmed escort services is also one business model of his fund generations. The minister was recently detained by customs officials at the Mumbai airport for carrying foreign currencies to Dubai above the government permissible limits. He was however let go after investigations. His real estate assets in Gulf countries, South America and Europe have been identified, investigations are still on.
Joaquim Alemao – Urban Development Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his accounts in Dubai – United Arab Emirates, Doha – Qatar, Kuwait and London. Possibility of accounts in Mauritius and Lisbon – Portugal have not been ruled out. His sources of funds are mining, real estate, casino relations, protection money and current portfolio.
Ravi Naik – Home Minister is currently under suspicion owing to the police-politician drug nexus, intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Singapore, London, Thailand, Germany and Switzerland. His sources of funds are considered to be protection money, real estate, mining, money-laundering and drugs.
Other Cabinet Ministers on the radar are;
Alexio Sequeira – Power Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Lisbon – Portugal, Dubai – United Arab Emirates and London – United Kingdom. Real estate, mining, self-owned businesses and current portfolio are the sectors being considered as his source of funds.
Vishwajeet Rane – Health Minister & Agriculture Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, London, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Mauritius and Russia. Real estate, drugs, casino relations, money-laundering, escort services and self-owned businesses.
Jose Philip DeSouza – Revenue Minister. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, Doha – Qatar and Thailand. His sources of funds are protection money, money laundering, real estate and current portfolio. Intelligence agencies are also probing links of this minister to a probable counterfeit money racket, though it is still under investigations, there appears to be serious suspicion in light of the recent counterfeit money found in one of the Casinos and a trail has led to the Revenue Minister, who has denied all knowledge of it.
Other Members of the Goa Legislative Assembly under watch
Agnelo Fernandes – Calangute MLA. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, Doha, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore and Thailand. His sources of funds are expected to be protection money, drugs, real estate and escort services, money-laundering and self-owned business. He is also supposed to have picked up real estate in Brazil and Argentina.
Mickky Pacheco – Benaulim MLA. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, United States of America. They suspect that he also have an account in London. Real estate, protection money and money laundering are being investigated as his sources of funds.
Mauvin Godinho – Deputy Speaker & MLA Cortalim. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Dubai, Doha and London. His suspected sources of funds are real estate and protection money. Though money-laundering is also being investigated.
Pratapsingh Rane – Speaker & MLA Poreim. Intelligence agencies are tracking his bank accounts in Switzerland, Germany, London, Singapore and other South Asians countries (though no exact details have been got on it yet). His sources of funds are considered to be real estate, mining and self-owned businesses.
Other ministers under intelligence periphery watch are also Nilkanth Halarnkar, Tourism Minister and Deepak Dhavalikar, Transport Minister though intelligence agencies reveal that nothing yet startling has come out.
Among the other members of the Goa Legislative assembly under periphery watch are Dayanand Narvekar – MLA Aldona, Curchorem MLA Shyam Saterdekar, Quepem MLA Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kawalekar, St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes and Manohar ‘Babu’ Azgaonkar from the current Congress MLAs. Among the BJP MLAs under intelligence radar are Laxmikant Parsekar, Manohar Parrikar, Damodar Naik, Francis DeSouza and Dayanand Mandrekar. While nothing yet has come out of these MLAs, intelligence agencies are still keeping a watch.
Investigations into the Hassan Ali trail have revealed that 70 per cent of most transaction originates from Mumbai and Goa. Money laundering, mining, real estate, casino relations, drugs and protection money is coming out as main sources of the black money.
At this point of time GoaChronicle.com would not like to speculate on the guilt or innocence of any minister or MLA. Our job as an investigative media is to bring information to the people of Goa. This information has been revealed to us by a senior officer of the Central Intelligence agency of the rank of joint director. We have also been told that currently the above details are under investigations; though at this point there seems to be nexus between politicians in the money-laundering racket and their frequent travels internationally is bringing the cloud of suspicion on them and them holding international bank accounts. No details on amounts that politicians have in these accounts have been revealed as yet. A report on these investigations is expected to be released before the end of this year.
The question however that does now get thrown open is if the investigations into the black money trail does in fact indict or directly implicate any of the ministers or members of the Legislative Assembly, will the people of Goa stand up against what can be seen as misuse of government office, political clout and taking the people of Goa for a complete ride.
NEED OF A STRONG JAN LOKPAL BILL.
By Nisser Dias.
25th Aug 2011
A strong Jan Lokpal Bill is the only way to fight corruption in this country.
The countrymen led by Anna Hazare and his team are up in arms against the UPA government for drafting what they termed a weak Jan Lokpal Bill – a weapon that is foreseen to fight or rather curb corruption.
Tens of thousands of people are participating in rallies, marches, demonstrations in almost all the states in support of Anna’s demand for a stringent bill wherein even the prime minister of the country will be held accountable for any form of corruption. Undoubtedly such a bill was long overdue and it is indeed the need of the hour because of rampant corruption in all the spheres of governance and administration be it at the central or state level.
In the two five year term of the UPA governance the scale of corruption has been astronomical whereby the country has lost tremendous revenue at the same time has brought a bad name to the country wherein India is featured in the list of top ten as most corrupt countries. Cabinet colleagues in the Dr. Manmohan Singh government are presently locked in the Tihar jail and many more are being investigated for amassing huge wealth disproportionate to their known source of income or currying favours to corporate houses and industrialists for personal gains. This is the reason we need a strong Lokpal bill to curb the menace of corruption in its various forms.
Six decades have passed since Independence but none of the governments during this period did anything concrete to wholeheartedly and sincerely introduce a full-proof Bill in the parliament to fight corruption. Every time it was introduced there was opposition to certain clauses and was conveniently shelved.
It was only in April this year when 74 year old anti corruption crusader upped his ante and undertook a fast unto death making citizens of this country to support him to fight corruption that the government realized that the suppressed anger of the people was turning into a tsunami. They had no option but to introduce it. But Anna and his team contemplated their moves well. Knowing very well that any government not necessarily UPA would not draft an effective Lokpal Bill demanded that members of the civilian society be included on the drafting committee. The UPA government realized escape routes for corrupt politicians, judiciary, and other government employees were sought to be shut, they refused to incorporate recommendation of the civilian society members in the Bill.
The politicians or rather some of the parliamentarians feel that the civilian should not usurp the duties or privileges of the parliament. My question is if these members of the Lok Sabha and Raja Sabha are so conscious of maintaining the sanctity of the august House, why did it take more than 60 long years to formulate a bill to curb corruption. Secondly if in a democracy the government is “of the people”, “for the people” and “by the people” why should the elected representative raise a hue and cry of including civilian society on the drafting committee and incorporating their recommendation in the bill?. Do we forfeit our rights as citizens of this country after we cast our ballot? Constitution of India gives us the right to freedom of speech and expression at the same time it endorses our right to protest and demonstrate peacefully. And Anna’s protest through indefinite hunger strike defines people’s power.
For the parliamentarians on the Bill drafting committee, inclusion of the Prime minister, judiciary and certain grade officers under the ambit of Bill is not acceptable. Does not the prime minister and judiciary come under laws like the Income Tax or Indian Penal Code? Just a week ago both houses of parliament impeached a High Court judge misappropriating money deposited with the court and also for amassing wealth. Therefore earlier laws were made to include everybody. It is said, nobody can be above the law however high or low. Why should there be an exception in the Jan Lokpal Bill especially when there are plenty of allegations of corruption against the judiciary and when fingers are being pointed at prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the 2G scandal. Can we forget Bofors scandal where former prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi was accused of receiving kickbacks.
At the same time the country is proud to have Dr. Manmohan Singh at the helm of affairs and is projected to be Mr. Clean, so what is the fear and why is the resistance to include prime minister and judiciary under the Lokpal Bill.
This resistance has given the BJP and its allies reason to go hammer and tongs at the union government. The UPA should use this tacit support of the NDA to the Anna’s protest and pass the Bill. Of course BJP is also using this opportunity to come back to power.
Though there has been overwhelming support to Anna Hazare’s protest and demand for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill at the same there have been misgivings about the methods used by him. Even Prime minister Dr. Singh has commented that Anna might have high ideals but his methods are misconceived. Our elected representatives and even Dr. Manmohan Singh should specify the ways and means to be adopted by civilians to bring about a change in the functioning and administration of our country.
For example tens of thousands of people who are participating in the protest with Anna must have surely paid a bribe to government official and a large section might have also been forced to pay to get their work done. The question here is can a common man scream at a government servant of demanding a bribe, if he does so criminally cases of assaulting a government official on duty, obstructing government servant while carrying out lawful duties are registered against the common man. Whereas if a common man wants to register a case of corruption he is made to run from pillar to post to produce evidence because our system is corrupt and balance is tilted in favour of government employees rather than the people. And what better example do we need when anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare is sent packing to jail for demanding a strong Jan Lokpal Bill but all the politicians of this country who have made politics their business and have amassed enormous wealth through corruption are living in luxury.
God save this country from our politicians and strong Jan Lokpal Bill is the only answer.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).
For Goa News Log on to WWW.nizgoenkar.net
25th Aug 2011
A strong Jan Lokpal Bill is the only way to fight corruption in this country.
The countrymen led by Anna Hazare and his team are up in arms against the UPA government for drafting what they termed a weak Jan Lokpal Bill – a weapon that is foreseen to fight or rather curb corruption.
Tens of thousands of people are participating in rallies, marches, demonstrations in almost all the states in support of Anna’s demand for a stringent bill wherein even the prime minister of the country will be held accountable for any form of corruption. Undoubtedly such a bill was long overdue and it is indeed the need of the hour because of rampant corruption in all the spheres of governance and administration be it at the central or state level.
In the two five year term of the UPA governance the scale of corruption has been astronomical whereby the country has lost tremendous revenue at the same time has brought a bad name to the country wherein India is featured in the list of top ten as most corrupt countries. Cabinet colleagues in the Dr. Manmohan Singh government are presently locked in the Tihar jail and many more are being investigated for amassing huge wealth disproportionate to their known source of income or currying favours to corporate houses and industrialists for personal gains. This is the reason we need a strong Lokpal bill to curb the menace of corruption in its various forms.
Six decades have passed since Independence but none of the governments during this period did anything concrete to wholeheartedly and sincerely introduce a full-proof Bill in the parliament to fight corruption. Every time it was introduced there was opposition to certain clauses and was conveniently shelved.
It was only in April this year when 74 year old anti corruption crusader upped his ante and undertook a fast unto death making citizens of this country to support him to fight corruption that the government realized that the suppressed anger of the people was turning into a tsunami. They had no option but to introduce it. But Anna and his team contemplated their moves well. Knowing very well that any government not necessarily UPA would not draft an effective Lokpal Bill demanded that members of the civilian society be included on the drafting committee. The UPA government realized escape routes for corrupt politicians, judiciary, and other government employees were sought to be shut, they refused to incorporate recommendation of the civilian society members in the Bill.
The politicians or rather some of the parliamentarians feel that the civilian should not usurp the duties or privileges of the parliament. My question is if these members of the Lok Sabha and Raja Sabha are so conscious of maintaining the sanctity of the august House, why did it take more than 60 long years to formulate a bill to curb corruption. Secondly if in a democracy the government is “of the people”, “for the people” and “by the people” why should the elected representative raise a hue and cry of including civilian society on the drafting committee and incorporating their recommendation in the bill?. Do we forfeit our rights as citizens of this country after we cast our ballot? Constitution of India gives us the right to freedom of speech and expression at the same time it endorses our right to protest and demonstrate peacefully. And Anna’s protest through indefinite hunger strike defines people’s power.
For the parliamentarians on the Bill drafting committee, inclusion of the Prime minister, judiciary and certain grade officers under the ambit of Bill is not acceptable. Does not the prime minister and judiciary come under laws like the Income Tax or Indian Penal Code? Just a week ago both houses of parliament impeached a High Court judge misappropriating money deposited with the court and also for amassing wealth. Therefore earlier laws were made to include everybody. It is said, nobody can be above the law however high or low. Why should there be an exception in the Jan Lokpal Bill especially when there are plenty of allegations of corruption against the judiciary and when fingers are being pointed at prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the 2G scandal. Can we forget Bofors scandal where former prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi was accused of receiving kickbacks.
At the same time the country is proud to have Dr. Manmohan Singh at the helm of affairs and is projected to be Mr. Clean, so what is the fear and why is the resistance to include prime minister and judiciary under the Lokpal Bill.
This resistance has given the BJP and its allies reason to go hammer and tongs at the union government. The UPA should use this tacit support of the NDA to the Anna’s protest and pass the Bill. Of course BJP is also using this opportunity to come back to power.
Though there has been overwhelming support to Anna Hazare’s protest and demand for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill at the same there have been misgivings about the methods used by him. Even Prime minister Dr. Singh has commented that Anna might have high ideals but his methods are misconceived. Our elected representatives and even Dr. Manmohan Singh should specify the ways and means to be adopted by civilians to bring about a change in the functioning and administration of our country.
For example tens of thousands of people who are participating in the protest with Anna must have surely paid a bribe to government official and a large section might have also been forced to pay to get their work done. The question here is can a common man scream at a government servant of demanding a bribe, if he does so criminally cases of assaulting a government official on duty, obstructing government servant while carrying out lawful duties are registered against the common man. Whereas if a common man wants to register a case of corruption he is made to run from pillar to post to produce evidence because our system is corrupt and balance is tilted in favour of government employees rather than the people. And what better example do we need when anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare is sent packing to jail for demanding a strong Jan Lokpal Bill but all the politicians of this country who have made politics their business and have amassed enormous wealth through corruption are living in luxury.
God save this country from our politicians and strong Jan Lokpal Bill is the only answer.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).
For Goa News Log on to WWW.nizgoenkar.net
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)