NAC unveils a sweeping anti-corruption strategy….Ravish Tiwari , D K Singh
The National Advisory Council, led by Sonia Gandhi, declared that it would have nothing to do with the drafting of the Lokpal Bill now that a joint committee of the government and activists is working on it.
But at a meeting on Thursday, the NAC unveiled the blueprint of a more ambitious and “comprehensive anti-corruption” strategy which includes setting up an independent anti-corruption agency (read Lokpal). That’s just one of its sweeping set of measures ranging from bringing in administrative, judicial and electoral reforms to reclaiming black money stashed abroad. NAC member Harsh Mander presented a broad outline of this strategy that includes “preventive”, “punitive” and “promotional” measures.
The council decided that the Working Group on Transparency, Accountability and Governance headed by Aruna Roy — the group first tasked to beef up the Lokpal Bill — would work on “strengthening implementation of (the) RTI Act and social auditing for prevention and control of corruption”. “The Lokpal Bill is just one element and one thing cannot solve the problem of corruption,” Harsh Mander said.
He said punitive measures being envisaged would include “strengthening anti-corruption watchdog like Lokpal, strengthening and widening the definition of corruption, including money laundering… (and) confiscating assets disproportionate to income”.
The promotional measures, Mander said, would cover “social value system, education, media and a deepening of democratic processes”. He will prepare a “Discussions Paper” on the subject with suggestions of other NAC members.The NAC’s latest exercise comes when Anna Hazare and his associates are embarking on a nationwide tour. As pointed out in Sonia’s letter to Hazare, the NAC was holding consultations with his associates to re-draft the Lokpal Bill but this exercise had to be abandoned after Hazare’s fast forced the issue.
Meanwhile, efforts are on to rope in the political class in the drafting of the Lokpal Bill.
Former NAC member Jayaprakash Narayan of Lok Satta, who organised consultations on the proposed Bill last Sunday, is in talks with senior BJP and Congress leaders, including L K Advani, to evolve a political consensus.
Anna to address meets via phone
Anna Hazare postponed his visit to UP, scheduled from April 29, after he was hospitalised for treatment of knee pain. However, he will address meetings at Varanasi, Sultanpur and Lucknow through phone from Pune. UP has already given permission for organising the meetings.