The Game of Blame

Elected politicians and bureaucrats are important pillars of governance. These two pillars need to work in synergy to run the country efficiently. Innumerable time’s initiatives taken by individuals or organizations for the betterment of the society or country at large are hampered or faced with hurdles put up by some elements of society.

The Mid-day meal crisis was not only a horrific tragedy but a revelation. It brought to light the cracks in the implementation of the initiative right from its inception. The countless number of issues regarding the hygiene and nutrition that have come to be known only prove to show how complaints made to the government falls on deaf ears. Seeing the callous implementation of the plan in not only one but all states makes it clear the problem was the core of this programme, the sync between the government and the bureaucrats was missing. The misappropriation of funds, delay in the delivery of recourses and the lack of quality check by the government in all states has lead to such an incident to take place. The government of Bihar claims it to be conspiracies of the bureaucrats while the bureaucrats believes it to be the failure of the administration and the lack of the authority of the law on the people.

But here in India not only initiatives undertaken on a national level but acts attempted by individuals or small group of people to improve society are brought to a standstill by people with power.  The latest example being of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal who took on a powerful sand mafia in the state and helped curb the illegal mining activities happening in the state.  Soon after which she was suspended by the state government stating it was for ordering the demolition of an under-construction mosque wall in a village in Uttar Pradesh.  Transfer of bureaucrats by politicians is not something unheard of, at least in India. Some of the representatives of the government are actually famous for their tendency to transfer and try and exercise their powers over bureaucrats.

Such incidents and situations give people infinite opportunities to begin the blame game.  Political parties and bureaucrats try and wash their hands of such situations by accusing each other for causing the incident. Many a times it is done to tarnish the others image or is a well thought political move or with personal agenda. Politicizing any situation is not a solution to a mishap. 

We are aware about such incidences but we do not understand the degree to which they are a hindrance to the growth of our society. This leaves me disheartened with a lingering thought, why can’t politicians and bureaucrats forget their personal agenda and instead take accountability for their actions and look out for the public at large.

The politicians and the bureaucrats should come together and rectify this situation and ensure such incidents don’t take place again instead of taking potshots at each other.  Only if they work together and not against each other can such situations not occur in this country. The attention needs to be diverted from accusations to solutions

The Supreme Court does CLEAN-UP ACT

In a ‘landmark judgment’, the Supreme Court of India has said people convicted of crime cannot hold parliamentary positions.

The ruling is indeed a milestone in the country’s political history since there are quite a lot of corrupt and convicted politicians holding offices and important parliamentary positions in India. This is probably one of the many characteristics the countries politics is wrongly known for.

This judgment broadly states that a person cannot fight the Lok Sabha or assembly elections from jail even if not convicted, the Supreme Court has ruled, signaling an end to the practice of politicians contesting polls from behind bars awaiting trial.

Though legislation in India pertaining to convicted lawmakers was more or less the same, that is, the politicians found guilty of a crime were allowed to stay as long as their cases were pending in courts. The different clause this time around is that they can't stay on regardless of appeals to higher courts which is a good step since many politicians in India use their influence and ‘resources’ to constantly keep the appeals alive.

While According to a report out of the 4,835 MPs and MLAs in the country, 1,448 are facing criminal cases. This staggering figure is the highest in the world.

The ruling, which spells more trouble for the political class in an election year, may be yet another check on criminalisation of politics but has the potential to be misused. Political rivals, especially the ruling party or combine, can target each other in the run-up to elections.

Corruption cases mostly don’t even enter the judicial system in India. Even if they make it, the entire process is incredibly slow. Sometimes the documents get lost, witnesses change their statements or complainants withdraw their allegations over death threats.

Apparently this particular ruling passed by the Supreme Court will not allow the corrupt politicians to prolong the cases filed against them. They will not be able to buy time to complete their term in office which is great for the people and will definitely help to clean up the political system but only if the legislation is actually used.

The Election Commission has, in its reports from time to time, been seeking amendment of the law for removal of the incumbent advantage to elected MPs and MLAs convicted of various offences.

But political parties have been resisting change on the ground that ruling dispensations bring false charges to keep rivals out of election process. The political class has welcomed the verdict the Supreme Court verdict.

Yet the fact that a cleansing of the political system was long overdue cannot be denied. This might be a signal to political parties themselves to develop their own internal checks.

The Supreme Court has only made an effort to check the creep of criminality in the legislatures as there has been progressive erosion of public trust of politicians, reinforced by the widespread belief that nothing will set right the political system in control of corrupt politicians. Amidst this cynicism, the Supreme Court’s judgment is a beacon of hope. The right way forward is surely for the top court to devise and enforce procedures that ensure quick, time-bound justice.