Countdown to Lokpal

Eradicating corruption will be a tall order \

Thanks to the traction provided by the Anna Hazare agitation, the much-delayed Lokpal Bill is finally on the move, with the Union Cabinet giving its approval to the government version. It is another matter that this version has disappointed Team Anna and another agitation is on the cards. How good or bad the sarkari draft is will be determined only by the ability of the new watchdog to eliminate the omnipresent corruption in the country. It is not a figment of the imagination of the opposition. The man on the street is indeed disgusted with the extent of corruption. He also wants reforms and good governance. Whether it comes through improvement in the functioning of the present institutions or through establishment of new ones is least of his concerns. What he insists on is measurable improvement on the ground.

There are bound to be doubts whether a Lokpal, as envisioned by the government, will be able to fit the bill. But as the Chinese say, the colour of the cat does not matter as long as it catches mice. Given the atmosphere in the country, no political being seems to be upright enough to sincerely want a completely independent investigating body in command. Even the criticism about the CBI being a puppet in the hands of the government is made only while a party or person is in the opposition. The tune changes dramatically once they themselves come to power. It will be educative to see how the Lokpal becomes a bulwark against corruption while the entire political class is ranged against this body.
While it would be meaningless to have a paper tiger at hand, it is equally important to ensure that a Frankenstein is not created which becomes an overarching presence without checks and balances. Nor should the Lokpal imprimatur diminish the powers of the Prime Minister to govern and lead. As far as the aspirations of the public at large are concerned, those are unquantifiable and a fine balance has to be struck between what one section of the public wants and what is the wish list of another section.