Doing away with the corrupt, working for the poorest of poor

It is a matter of great pride that our country today enjoys the outstanding distinction of having evolved a vibrant and dynamic parliamentary system of democracy. India’s experience of past five decades is a story of success of democracy in a populated nation that has shown how complex problems can be addressed within the constitutional and democratic framework. For sustained and successful evolution of democracy, it is imperative for us to overcome challenges of economic growth and development and be on the fast growth trajectory. Development that promotes people’s welfare alone will strengthen and deepen the roots of our democracy.

I have been very concerned that challenges of growth and key issues of public governance and development be addressed in a non-partisan and apolitical manner with everyone’s cooperation. As Chairman of Rajya Sabha, it has been my endeavour that such key issues are raised, debated and discussed in Rajya Sabha in a focused manner so that constructive suggestions and recommendations for appropriate legislative and executive actions are evolved towards achieving the objective growth of economy, public governance and public welfare. I have been voicing my concerns on vital issues in other public fora as well. I would like to share some of these concerns today.

Empowerment of the poor:

focus on poverty alleviation

Our significant progress and development since independence would be fragile and unsustainable if it is not inclusive of the welfare of our 26 crore brethren living in extreme poverty. In my view, democracy will survive and succeed only if it promotes welfare of the poor and the under-privileged with little access to basic education, health care or shelter. I, therefore, regard poverty alleviation and welfare of the common man as the fifth pillar of our democracy.

Our Supreme Court has pronounced that the right to live with dignity is a fundamental right of every citizen. The poor have, therefore, to be enabled with access in real terms to basic services such as primary education, health care, drinking water, shelter and food security. Any development plan will have substantive meaning only if it includes comprehensive programmes of poverty alleviation.

It has been my firm conviction that eliminating the scourge of poverty and deprivation is the sacred duty of the Government. Ensuring the welfare of the poor should be the first charge on the treasury of the State. I have believed in the Antyodaya philosophy of development, i.e., the focus of action being on the poorest amongst the poor. In the pioneering initiative taken in Rajasthan for alleviation of poverty under the Antyodaya scheme launched in 1977, action plans were formulated in every village to ensure economic uplift and empowerment of five poorest families in a year. This experience could be of some use and relevance even today in preparing micro plans for every village panchayat.

Governance at cutting edge level

Unfortunately, on account of corruption and inefficiency in management, public programmes have failed to deliver the intended benefits to the common man. Indeed the poor have been cheated and robbed of the full extent of benefit that ought to have actually accrued to them under the PDS and other programmes meant for their welfare.

We need to make the delivery system of public programmes and schemes totally free of corruption. For this, it is necessary to establish transparency and accountability. Our Parliament has recently legislated the Right to Information Act; we should effectively use the provisions of this law to disseminate and share with all concerned information in respect of coverage of beneficiaries as also details of expenditure incurred under each of these schemes along with publication of audit reports on such expenditure. Establishing a mechanism for local vigilance on public delivery system of goods and services will also go a long way in improving quality, efficiency and integrity of field administration.

The common man is also subjected to a regime of complex laws and complicated regulations, many of which he is not even aware of. Over and above that, he lives under the tyranny of the Inspector Raj. A rigorous review and simplification of existing laws, rules and procedures is called for to free the common man from transaction costs at each point.

Population stabilisation

We have the potential to become a great democracy only if we control bulging population; otherwise, the fruits of development will never be real. Unfortunately, our efforts in this direction so far have not been adequate and effective. I believe we must create a strong people’s will to mount a big national effort for population stabilisation; we need to build a social ethos where violating a small family norm attracts big social discount.

Judicial reforms

An independent and efficient judicial system is the backbone of democracy. The common man expects fair and speedy justice. We know that justice delayed is justice denied. We need a legal system in which courts ensure regular hearings, unpunctuated by frequent adjournments: a system where pursuing cases in courts does not become a luxury for the rich but which inspires faith and confidence amongst the poor also.

The need for judicial reforms is a matter of urgency. The reform agenda should include setting up of special courts for trial of corruption cases and also for other important cases of social concern; in such cases there should be day-to-day hearings in courts so that the guilty are booked and punished without delay.

Electoral reforms

Elections are an integral part of democracy. However, we are now witnessing the democracy of frequent elections. These have dealt a heavy blow to governance, political expediency overtaking genuine public welfare and long term national interests. Frequent elections also generate large demand for campaign funds.

It was in this context that I had earlier publicly made the suggestion that we should rid ourselves of the present syndrome of every-year-elections. I believe that elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies should be simultaneous and, if possible, elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and municipal bodies should also be combined. This electoral reform will provide significant riddance from evils of caste-based politics of vote-banks, criminalisation of politics and the influence of money and mafia in elections.

The malaise of corruption

Our present environment of governance is polluted, ethical values are on decline and corruption is all pervading. Our country certainly could have progressed much more but for poor governance and rising corruption which have been big roadblocks in national prosperity. Without rooting out corruption, we cannot have good governance. We need an effective and comprehensive attack on corruption. Those who do not adhere to ethics, falter and indulge in corruption ought to know that they will not escape the severest punishment. Unfortunately, the plethora of laws and enactments to control corruption have proved ineffective. Cases remain pending under investigation or trial for a long time; hardly any case results in conviction and that too, of only lower level functionaries. This state of affairs has failed to create an effective deterrent against corrupt tendencies; it generates public cynicism while the extent and dimensions of corruption go on increasing every passing day.

The virus of corruption is not only a factor of social disintegration and distortion of the economic system but also goes to undermine the very legitimacy of political institutions. Our elected representatives in State Legislatures and Parliament should take the lead in ensuring effective action to combat corruption, to accelerate the pace of economic growth as also strengthen the moral fabric of our democratic system.

Issues of values and ethics

Today it is a matter of concern that the institutions of governance in our democracy are increasingly suffering from a credibility gap and damage to their reputation and integrity. The declining standards of ethics in public conduct is the main cause of erosion in people’s faith. The foremost requirement, therefore, is to regain confidence of society in the institutions of governance.

Indeed, many of our present ills are the results of decline in our value system and loss of character. Forces of fierce competition in the technology driven era of globalisation have taken a heavy toll of our traditional values. We need to reimbibe the sanatan values of honesty, integrity, compassion, care and cooperation. We once again need to establish our conduct based on truth and non-violence, peace and harmony. We need to promote a secular ethos that entails sarva-dharm-sambhav. That alone will promote social cohesiveness and re-establish the paradigm of the Indian ethos enshrined in our ancient maxim of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. That will be India’s unique contribution towards enrichment of content of globalisation which today has its focus only on trade and commerce.

These are the foremost challenges to face and overcome. Only then shall we build an Empowered India. The need is to begin action in all earnestness, commitment and sincerity of purpose. Let us all work together, create a lok jumbish for building an empowered nation. I have abiding faith in the destiny of our nation and the bright future of the next generation. I am absolutely sanguine that we are bound to build an India that will do our posterity proud.

This will be, in the true sense, a fully empowered India in which none will be deprived and oppressed; everyone will be secure with dignity, equity and all basic necessities of life.