Waking up after the loot
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally woken up to the fact that a Lokpal needs to be appointed. This was one of the assurances he had given during his 2014 election campaign.
In the last five years the central government showed no interest in this. And not since the SC came down heavily on the government, a Lokpal has been appointed with just three months for the government to end.
The selection committee involving PM Modi, LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatagi and SC Chief Justice Gogoi have selected rtd SC justice Pinaki Chandraghosh as the first Lokpal of the country.
Congress leader of LS Mallikarjun Kharge boycotted the meeting because he was mentioned as only an invitee to the selection committee meeting.
Government should have appointed the Lokpal themselves. It didn’t have to be reminded by the SC for this. PM Modi didn’t show that will power. The authoritarian that he is, he does not like a system such as Lokpal. He had completely eradicated Lokpal even as the CM of Gujarat.
He has had major disagreements with the Lokpal in Gujarat. The Finding Committee was set up last September only because the Supreme Court insisted that it should be done.
The first meeting of this committee happened in February. And the committee finalized the name for the nation’s first Lok Pal. It is the duty of the Lok Pal to put corruption in public life under scanner. It is the duty of the Lok Pal to bring everyone under the radar of LokPal including former PM, current and former union ministers, current and former MPs and senior officers of enterprises under the union government.
Though a Lok Pal was recommended in 1968, no one had shown any interest in setting it up in the last five decades. Modi only offered words to the country despite clinching the power by promising “won’t eat, won’t allow others to either…” meaning he would not engage or encourage corruption in any form.
He kept projecting himself as the Chowkidar. But the scandals regarding Rafale happened during his time. The Hindu paper published a detailed report on the corruption charges in this.
Immediately the government through its AG claimed to the Supreme Court that the records regarding the deal were lost and the whole thing was reduced to a joke. Later they said the records were being copied.
India still ranks the lowest in global corruption index. CBI has been blamed for being partisan and corruption. Rafale deal is smacking of corruption. People are shouting ‘Chowkidar’ has stolen the money. Not just this, a lot of other charges have surrounded the government.
Under such circumstances, Modi government has set up a Lokpal like closing the door after the house is looted, just to show off that they are the integral lot. This is plain joke.
Modi government refuted the need for Lokpal by stating they are most honest ones. He protected those who wanted to escape abroad after looting the country, and compromised the structure of CBI, RBI and UGC.
He didn’t even bring back the black money. He waived off the loans of big corporates to the tune of two lakh crores and protected defaulters.
Though the list of defaulters was given to the PMO by last RBI governor, the govt continued to protect them.
Hence a lot of scandals have been covered up by the government because of the absence of Lokpal. Hopefully the new appointment would breathe some life into brazen system of this country.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
