Prof S.K.Bhalla
Today is ‘International Anti Corruption Day’ and this year’s theme is ‘Uniting with youth against corruption : Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity’. Apparently we are more worried about what has happened at Singapore but totally oblivious about the functioning of anti graft bodies in our UT. It is a matter of great regret that a day like this one has been reduced to a mere formalitiy and a shallow pontificating which does not have any takers.
Coming to the specific theme it can be written with a sufficient application of mind that as per social media reports a youth who had taken cudgels against the malfunctioning of Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board pertaining to the leakage of papers of Sub Inspectors as well as other selection matters and subsequent awarding contract to a tainted competitive paper agency has been made to eat a humble pie for which no accountability has been fixed. This is huge question mark on precepts and practice.
The public at large are aghast that they are not aware of the working pattern as also track record of both ACB and Crime Branch. We are not aware of any journel which reflects the total number of cases registered every year, the status of each case and the time likely to be consumed to meet the ends of justice. Hardly any interviews of the top bosses heading these organisations are conducted to sensitize us about their modus operandi. The absence of these exercises encourages opacity and not transparency.
To stand united in the fight against corruption is a tall talk and integrity in public life is a tall order in the light of what is happening in our UT day in and day out. Satyamev Jayate is a clarion call but to tread the straight path is just like walking on the razor’s edge. Do we have such officers in our set up who will come up to the spirit of the aforesaid to make this UT an example of extraordinary governance whereat every tear will be wiped from the eyes of all aggrieved. Irrespective of caste, color and creed.
(The author of the article is a retired academician and views expressed are his own.)