Lok Sabha Debates
Need Of A Comprehensive Political Programme To Eradicate Corruption. on 26 August, 2011
> Title: Need of a comprehensive political programme to eradicate corruption. SHRI RAHUL GANDHI (AMETHI): Madam Speaker, I have been deeply distressed at the development of the last few days. … (Interruptions) Many aspects of the situation have caused me anguish. We are all aware that corruption is pervasive. It operates at every level. The poor may carry its greatest burden, but it is an affliction that every Indian is desperate to be rid off. Fighting corruption is an integral part to eliminating poverty as is Mahatma Gandhi NREGA or the Land Acquisition Bill. Yet, it is equally imperative to the growth and development of our nation. Madam Speaker, we cannot wish away corruption by the mere desire to see it removed from our lives. This requires a comprehensive framework of action and a concerted political programme supported by all levels of the State from the highest to the lowest. Most importantly, it requires a firm political will. Madam Speaker, in the past few years, I have travelled the length and breadth of our country. I have met scores of countrymen -- rich and poor; old and young; privileged and disempowered -- who have expressed their disillusionment to me. In the last few months, Anna ji has helped the people to articulate this same sentiment. I thank him for this. … (Interruptions) I believe that the real question before us … (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: Please let us have order in the House.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : कृपया बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
SHRI RAHUL GANDHI : I believe that the real question before us, as representatives of the people of India today, is whether we are prepared to take the battle against corruption head on. It is not a matter of how the present impasse will resolve, it is a much greater battle. There are no simple solutions. To eradicate corruption demands a far deeper engagement and sustained commitment from each one of us. Witnessing the events of the last few days, it would appear that the enactment of a single Bill will usher in a corruption-free society. I have serious doubts about this belief. An effective Lokpal law is only one element in the legal framework to combat corruption. The Lokpal institution alone cannot be a substitute for a comprehensive anti-corruption code. A set of effective laws is required. Laws that address the following critical issues are necessary to stand alongside the Lokpal initiative: Government funding of elections and political parties; transparency in public procurement; proper regulation of sectors that fuel corruption like land and mining … (Interruptions) अध्यक्ष महोदया : आप लोग बैठ जाइए। क्यों खड़े हो गए?
…( व्यवधान)
MADAM SPEAKER: This is ‘Zero Hour’ and he can speak.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : शून्य प्रहर चल रहा है। बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
(Interruptions) … * MADAM SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: It is ‘Zero Hour’ and I have given permission.
… (Interruptions)
संसदीय कार्य मंत्री तथा जल संसाधन मंत्री (श्री पवन कुमार बंसल): माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदया, किस बात पर इनको एतराज है? ...( व्यवधान) ये जो बात कह रहे हैं उस पर आप को ऐतराज है? यह आप की नीति है?...( व्यवधान) MADAM SPEAKER: What is your objection?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL: Are you objecting to what he has said? … (Interruptions) MADAM SPEAKER: Please sit down. He is raising the matter during ‘Zero Hour’. … (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : आप इतना गुस्सा मत होइए। बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
MADAM SPEAKER: This is ‘Zero Hour’. Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE): You cannot speak like that. You sit down. … (Interruptions) MADAM SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * अध्यक्ष महोदया : कृपया आप सब बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
MADAM SPEAKER: Please sit down.
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : इस समय शून्य प्रहर चल रहा है और मैंने श्री राहुल गांधी को बोलने की अनुमति दी है। उन्हें बोलने दीजिए। …( व्यवधान)
श्री गणेश सिंह (सतना):आप यह सलाह किसको दे रहे हैं।...( व्यवधान)
MADAM SPEAKER: Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI RAHUL GANDHI : Proper regulations of sectors that fuel corruption like land and mining, grievance redress mechanisms in public service delivery of old age pension and ration cards and continued tax reforms to end tax evasion. We owe it to the people of this country to vote together across party lines to ensure that Parliament functions at its optimal capacity and deliver these laws in a just and time bound manner. We speak of a statutory Lokpal but our discussions cease at the point of its accountability to the people and the risk that it might itself become corrupt. Madam Speaker, why not elevate the debate? Let us take it further and fortify the Lokpal Bill by making it a constitutional body like the Election Commission of India. I feel the time has come for us to seriously consider this idea. Madam Speaker, laws and institutions are not enough. A representative, inclusive and accessible democracy is central to fighting corruption. Individuals have brought our country great gains. They have galvanized the people in the cause of freedom and development. However, we must not weaken the democratic process. This process is often lengthy and lumbering. But it is so in order to be inclusive and fair. It provides a representative in transparent platform where ideas are translated into laws. A process divorced from the machinery of an elected Government that seeks to undo the checks and balances created to protect the supremacy of the Parliament of this House sets a dangerous precedent for our democracy. Today, the proposed law is against corruption. Tomorrow, the target may be something less universally heralded. It may attack the plurality of our society and our democracy. India’s biggest achievement is our democratic system. It is the life force of our nation. I believe we need more democracy within our political parties. I believe in Government funding of our political parties. I believe in empowering our youth in opening the doors of our closed political system in bringing fresh blood into politics and into this House. I believe in moving our democracy deeper and deeper into our villages and our cities. I know my faith in democracy is shared by Members of this House. I know that regardless of their political affiliation, many of my colleagues work tirelessly to realize the ideals upon which our nation was built. The pursuit of truth is the greatest of these ideals. It won us our freedom. It gave us our democracy. Let us commit ourselves to truth and probity in public life. We owe it to the people of India. अध्यक्ष महोदया : श्री शरद यादव।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद जी, क्या आपको बोलना है? आपने सस्पैंशन का नोटिस दिया है।
…( व्यवधान)
श्री हरिन पाठक (अहमदाबाद पूर्व): प्रधान मंत्री जी ने एश्योरेंस दिया था। ...( व्यवधान) लोकपाल बिल कब आयेगा? ...( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद यादव जी, क्या आपको बोलना है?
…( व्यवधान)
श्री शरद यादव (मधेपुरा): जी हां। ...( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : आप बोलिये।
…( व्यवधान)
MADAM SPEAKER: Nothing else will go on record.
(Interruptions) …* अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद यादव जी बोल रहे हैं।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद यादव जी, आप बोलिये।
…( व्यवधान)
SHRI HARIN PATHAK : Please bring the Jan Lokpal Bill.
श्री पवन कुमार बंसल : आपको एतराज किस बात पर है? ...( व्यवधान)
श्री शरद यादव : अध्यक्षा जी, पूरे देश में खासकर उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, असम, बंगाल में गंगा नदी ...( व्यवधान) श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज : शरद जी, पहले यह विषय खत्म हो जाने दीजिए। ...( व्यवधान) अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद जी, आपने नोटिस दिया है, इसलिए आप बोलिये।
…( व्यवधान)
SHRI YASHWANT SINHA (HAZARIBAGH): I want to ask the Prime Minister what has happened to it?… (Interruptions) MADAM SPEAKER: Nothing else will go on record except what Shri Sharad Yadav ji says. (Interruptions) … * अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद जी, आप बोलिये।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : शरद जी, क्या आप नहीं बोल रहे हैं?
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : श्री पी. करूणाकरन।
…( व्यवधान)