| Follow Lok Satta News in Buzz Posted: 27 Sep 2011 06:54 AM PDT |
| Book the cooks Posted: 27 Sep 2011 06:42 AM PDT DC Debate: The corporate sector should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal
It will end collusive corruption
Jayaprakash Narayan, president, Loksatta Party
(As told to Monica Jha)
Yes, I think corporates should be covered by the Lokpal to the extent that they are involved in collusive corruption, like in the mining scam in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and 2G scam.
Corporates are also bribe-givers and partners in corruption. Once government officials are covered by the Lokpal, the collusive corruption involving corporates will automatically be covered. Corporates are also covered by the Prevention of Corruption Act. Going beyond this and getting into their internal matters may not be possible.
Corporates are directly involved in corruption in various ways. The collusion between people in the government with some corporates hurts the interests of other genuine corporates.
Corporates have tremendous interests in all issues involving money and allotment of natural resources like land, mines, spectrum etc. Therefore, it is worthwhile to involve them in the discussion. Let them know that once the Lokpal is in place, things will change and bribe-giving corporates will not be acceptable. Many countries have provisions that keep a check on corruption in many forms.
Post-Watergate, the United States enforced the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which has an important provision that applies to American firms and individuals who are involved in corrupt practices outside the US. Corrupt foreign officials can be punished in the US.
Either directly or through an interdepartmental process, the government must make sure that corporates are consulted. The Standing Committee on Lokpal Bill has invited the Loksatta Party to make a presentation in this regard on September 23. On behalf of the Loksatta Party, I will appeal to the government to involve corporates and to the corporates to become part of the discussion so that the legitimate concerns of corporates can be taken on board.
Giving them (corporates) lectures about honesty is not enough. There is need for a mechanism to address their grievances promptly. Moreover, what is the reward for a corporate's honesty? Just the quiet satisfaction of being honest is not enough for a corporate. We need a system that assures them that they will not be losing out on opportunities or profits for being honest.
This will enhance the compliance rate and will help honest corporates keep a check on corrupt practices within corporates and the government.
The civil society's approach has been antagonistic so far. I do not think this is right. Just because there are wrongdoers among corporates, all corporates should not be kept at bay. What the civil society must understand is that each player is important in this process.
Learning to collaborate is important. Wealth-creation is important and corporates are doing exactly that. They are an important and indispensable part of the system and if we recognise that and make sure that they have fair competition and follow ethical practices, it will not be difficult to achieve a corruption-free system.
Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle
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| రాష్ట్ర నాయకత్వ సదస్సుగా అక్టోబర్ 8న ఒంగోలులో లోక్ సత్తా పార్టీ 5వ వార్షికోత్సవం Posted: 27 Sep 2011 06:28 AM PDT |
| Lok Satta looks beyond Lokpal to eradicate corruption Posted: 27 Sep 2011 06:18 AM PDT As many as 1500 leaders of the Lok Satta Party from around the State will be congregating at Ongole on October 8 to discuss ways and means of taking the fight against corruption to a higher plane.
The party is organizing the leadership summit to mark its fifth anniversary.
Addressing a media conference here today, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said that the leadership summit would outline the way forward for the Lok Satta Party when most of the traditional parties, steeped in corruption, had lost their credibility. The Lok Satta Party has almost successfully fought for the creation of Lokayuktas in States along with the Lokpal at the national level. It is a matter of time before these institutions come into existence. Creation of a strong anti corruption mechanism alone will not do.
Mr. Varma said that the electoral system, which is largely responsible for corruption taking deep roots, needs to be overhauled. A solution lies in replacement of the first-past-the post system by proportional representation. There is also the need for regulating the functioning of political parties. Political parties have become dynastic or despotic since there are no laws to ensure they are transparent and democratic in their day-to-day activities including selection of candidates for contesting elections and collection of funds.
Mr. Varma said that an extended meeting of the party's Working Committee on Otober 9 would lay down a road map for the party. It will spell out the programs the party will take up and finalize steps to strengthen the party at all levels.
Mr. Varma said that the Government of India should take steps immediately to resolve the political uncertainty in the State. The Center cannot abdicate its responsibility and blame others for the crisis caused by its complacency. He appealed to all political parties to observe restraint in the present surcharged atmosphere and not fuel regional animosities.
Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao, party General Secretary, denied reports in a section of the media that Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan would step down as President and that new leaders would head the party. Dr. JP would continue to head the party and be its friend, philosopher and guide, he added.
Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao, Secretary, released a poster for the party's Ongole conference.
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