Strengthen the system of accountability

The recent statement of Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on thesidelines of a function organized for ambitious plantation drive may not gowell with several quarters. While saying, “See the bungalows in Vasant Vihar orMaharani Bagh in Delhi of those who worked in the Forest Department. I knowseveral families who have made millions as they had the charge of the ForestDepartment. The forests of Jammu and Kashmir have been destroyed painfully.They are our lungs, and we are alive because of them.”  Mr. Malik has taken the bull [the corrupt] bythe horns. His statement if read in the right perspective is a loud and clearmessage regarding ongoing corruption in the state.  Politicians and some other influential peoplewill positively brand it a sweeping statement as it may hit them harder. Thecommon man is least bothered about the consequences of such statements, but hefinds himself vindicated as he has been crying foul for last several decadesregarding his fate in more than seven decades of egalitarianism andempowerment. A man on the street has no idea of political complexities andadministrative intricacies so he or she will take this statement on its facevalue, expecting miracles from the present dispensation. High hopes will beascribed to this vital statement against dishonest practices going on fordecades. Whatever the intentions and motives, but if the writ of accountabilityis established in the state decisively half the battle of authorizing peopleand providing them fair administration is won.

Brushing aside the negativities, we should welcome thepresent and earlier statements of the Governor and his team regarding cleansingthe system of unscrupulous elements and establishing the highest order ofaccountability. However, having said that the loopholes in the existing systemof responsibility within the administration are to be plugged. Earlier thesystem of accountability was part of our inner self [the conscience], the faithand the ethos. But the materialism of which humanity presently is the worstvictim compelled the régimes to draft and draw strategies. It is disconcertingwhat was inherently indoctrinated in our psyche is now being admonished by thetribunals and the commissions through a set of rules and regulations.

   

Anyways, not going much deeper into the genesis of degradinginbuilt system of moral values and the consequent aura of accountability withinthe society let us draw attention towards flaws in the existing system ofaccountability. These flaws dilute the good intentions of the government andits good Samaritans. Time and its binding are a crucial factor influencingaccountability. Most of the vested interests resort to delaying tactics tocoerce the gullible people into their trap. Timely disposal of official matterswill leave no space for exploitation and exploiting the hopefuls. Transparencyof official business if addressed appropriately, will have a massive impact onthe structure of governance. Strengthening the arrangement of right toinformation as envisaged in the existing RTI act with the highest degree oftransparency and timeliness can bolster the mechanism of accountability andprompt service. Accountability being a broader term covering aspects of duty inthe delivery system and fixing responsibilities for laxity, failure, andconsequent exploitation requires a multi-pronged strategy to make it moreeffective.

For last more than a decade beyond the administrative checksand balances, a full-fledged state accountability commission is working in thestate to make officials and public functionaries accountable and fix theresponsibilities. The Commission initially with its appropriate authority andpowers created waves in the ruling circles and earned the right name among thepeople. However, the robust liability mechanism established by the commissiondid not go well with few political entities and their cronies, and in a veryclandestine manner, the commission was divested of its very vital powers. Atpresent, the state accountability commission is virtually a toothless tigergasping for authority and powers. Interestingly, I am witness to the obliviousstate of authority within the commission. Even after almost fifty hearings in acomplaint for more than three years, the commission for lack of powers isvirtually on crossroads of decision making. And I have almost lost hope fortimely disposal. However, my faith reminds me of—pessimism being a big sin! TheCommission may apparently look complete in all respects, but its soul isbattered by the malicious intrusion by its worst adversaries through amendmentsin its rule book of authority. If present dispensation, particularly thehonorable Governor, wants to give real shape to his anti-graft crusade, and theidea of total accountability, the strengthening of institutions becomes imperative.All organizations meant to check corruption and guarantee accountability hasnot only to be restored to their pristine authoritative position butstrengthened with absolute penal powers to prosecute almost every entity withinthe government and the society.

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