The latest reports about widespread irregularities and misappropriation of funds in the rural development and education departments under various centrally-sponsored schemes offer a lot of food for introspection and agenda for action. The first thing that we need to recognize is that these two instances in themselves are neither isolated nor spectacular. That widespread corruption in the government system in J&K is prevalent, including in centrally sponsored schemes, is well known. But we need to be conscious of the fact that no piecemeal effort is going to stem this rot. Fundamentally, it would take political will in Srinagar and New Delhi in crafting a clear, fully empowered, independent and decisive anti-graft regime. Political will is also needed in making the anti-corruption bodies like the Accountability Commission, State Vigilance Organization (SVO) and the State Information Commission independent and immune to political and other interference. For all this to be possible there will have to be a Lok Pal kind of ombudsman who would look into the affairs of the political executive in J&K. Nothing short will work. The recommendations made by the State Finance Commission (SFC) in its recent report on corruption in the state need to be given a serious thought. It has termed the existing anti-graft laws ineffective and has emphasized upon strengthening the anti-graft institutions. SFC has also opined that SVO does not work independently and has invariably been part of police organization, thus finding it difficult to work beyond the confines of police regulatory system. One key part of the report is that it has even identified public offices where corruption is rampant. While disliking the idea of providing medals to well performing public servants instead of increments and promotions, the report has called for making the process of permits, licenses, release of salaries, stipends and permission transparent. Given the larger anti-graft environment in the country today, it is time for J&K to go for it too. If we wait more, J&K’s governance mess will exasperate.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST