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‘Babu’, in popular culture, implies a government worker who is lazy, incompetent, deliberately delays processes and enjoys life at the cost of public money. The term that reeks of the colonial era has been rightly stuck with civil servants and other government officials ever since only because of their attitude. Irrespective of the usage of the word ‘Babu’, more important is that it is the ‘Babu culture’ that needs to be changed.

Manish Singh

 

“Ineffective, unassertive, Lokpal is irrelevant”

The concept of  anti-corruption national ombudsman is relatively new in India. It represents public interest. Corruption is rising exponentially due to Criminal mafia - politicians- bureaucrats-police nexus. The law makers  must strengthen Lokpal by according it Constitutional status. The amendment bill introduced in the past for making the Lokpal a constitutional body, was defeated in the house. Reasons were obvious: Self-preservation and survival instinct of law makers.

Come to specifics. Lokpal, a full-time functional body was mandated to present annual reports on  work done by it to the President. The report is caused to be laid in both Houses of Parliament. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was appointed as chairperson of Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman which started functioning with eight members, in March 2019.

As per media reports about 1500 corruption complaints have been received by the Lokpal alone, since inception, against several Union ministers, top officers , MPs and other public servants.  Strangely, no annual report has  been presented by the Lokpal to the President. This is disturbing. One wonders whether any interim report was presented for clarifying reasons for non-submission of annual report.

The Lokpal is an independent, statutary body. Its annual report constitutes an important tool to assess its performance by the Parliament with regard to investigations and prosecution of  public servants. This assumes importance especially when union ministers, former or serving , MPs and officers are named in the complaints.

The lawmakers  must empower the Lokpal by according it Constitutional status. Let it submit its annual report to the Parliament on the analogy of C&AG , CEC.

 

Why urgency?

Elections are due in several States in succession. Several politicians would be contesting the elections especially those against whom complaints could have been received. Checking their credentials before accepting nominations,is the responsibility of the  Election Commission.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

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