Corruption in India
28 October 2012. In Farrukhabad, IAC convenor Laxman Singh, along with his associates in India Against Corruption (IAC) today sat on a protest in front of the city magistrate’s office to press for permission to hold their proposed demonstration on 1 November 2012. The city magistrate later granted permission to the activists to hold the demonstration, they said. One of the activists, Sanjay Singh, told reporters in Lucknow that Kejriwal’s programme would be held in the home district of Mr Khurshid at all cost even if they have to go to jail. He said the group has written a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav requesting permission for the demonstration in Farrukhabad. The purpose of the demonstration is to make fresh allegations of irregularities by Zakir Husain Memorial Trust headed by Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, sources said. Honesty does not pay in public service While in New Delhi, former Chief Justice of India, JS Verma has hit out at the political class saying that politicians are colluding with each other against the fight to end corruption. While speaking to Karan Thapar on this week’s Devil’s Advocate, he accused the politicians of conspiring to tolerate corruption at the highest level. Corrupt politicians are able to put through massive corrupt deals because of the ‘yes men’ in the administrative service. But not all in the public administration are like that. Ashok Khemka hit headlines for the penalties he had to undergo for his honesty. He was transferred 16 times in span of 7 years under present Congress government. He was further humiliated by the withdrawal of his official vehicle and forcing him to come to office by foot. Raju Narayanswamy,44-year-old Kerala cadre IAS officer, has a similar penchant for not bow-towing to his political masters. As a result, Swamy has already been transferred 24 times in his 20-year career. Author of some 25 books, Swamy is on short term deputation as a central election observer. He prefers this posting as he can work without any political interference. Khurshid Anwar, Jharkhand state administrative service office, known for being an upright and fearless officer, has been transferred 56 times in a 36-year long career. Five years ago, Anwar, as the ADM (law and order) of Palamu, called his political bosses corrupt at a public meeting in Chainpur. The very next day, he got marching orders from the Madhu Koda led state government. Former IAS officer Arun Bhatia who went public with his fight against corruption when in service , says that he is continuing the fight even after retirement, having twice contested the Pune Lok Sabha seat as an independent candidate. The Maharashtra cadre officer was transferred 26 times in 26-year tenure, because he unearthed a series of scams during his stint as collector of Mumbai in 1983. The government has often been vindictive of honest officers instead of supporting them. Anna Hazare Anna Hazare is trying to rope in Bollywood actor Aamir Khan for the new phase of his movement, which he plans to launch in January. Aamir became immensely popular after his TV show “Satyamev Jayate” which had raised public awareness about various social issues. Hazare will speak to Aamir when returns from Haj pilgrimage. Aamir had shared the dais with Hazare during the latter’s agitation in Delhi last year. After parting way with Arvind Kejiriwal and disbanding Team Anna, Hazare is now in the process of building up a strong team consisting of former government servants and ex-servicemen to continue his fight for a strong Lokpal bill.
