Proposal of an Anti-Corruption System

Introduction: The Lokpal bill perhaps demands some major constitutional reforms which makes it impractical in current situations. A comprehensive long term plan which empowers the present government machinery i.e. C.V.C, C.A.G and Tribunals etc., to fight corruption in a full proof manner is presented here. Ethical education being an important part of character building can build a strong anti-corruption immune power among those who wish to be a part of government. The proposal plans the establishment of a National University which would impart righteous education on politics and ethical practices. An outline of the proposal has been stated below. Abbreviations Used: 1) C.V.C- Central Vigilance Commission. 2) C.A.G- Comptroller and Auditor Generals Office. 3) M.P- Member of Parliament. 4) M.L.A- Member of Legislative Assembly. 5) U.P.S.C- Union Public Service Commission. 6) E.C- Election Commission.

The Anti-Corruption Mechanism: 1. An Ombudsman system should be established under C.V.C which would take complaints from common public over the internet, telephone, letter etc. The status of the complaints should be reflected back to the public through online media. 2. The C.V.C should be given independent power to initiate investigations against any government office/ official including ministers, M.Ps and M.L.As on complaints received from common public. The C.V.Cs ambit may be extended to private sectors also.

3. The C.V.C may independently seek help from C.A.G to investigate financial matters and jointly prepare reports of their investigations. 4. A separate fast track anti-corruption tribunal should be formed as a wing of Supreme Court which would include members from judiciary and professionally qualified arbiters (Members of I.C.A). The decisions made by the tribunal should be final and binding to all.

5. The C.V.C should be able to independently file petitions in the special anti corruption tribunal.

Monitoring & Evidence Collection Mechanism: 1. The C.V.C should be allowed to place audio and/or video capturing devices in Offices/Residential Offices, vehicles of government officials to monitor corruption activities. 2. The C.V.C should be allowed to tap telephone calls of those Government officials whose complaints have been received.

3. The general public should be allowed to record their interaction with government officials on video cameras or audio devices. Appointment of Members in Anti-Corruption Tribunal: The eligible candidates (Eligibility is based on qualifications and experience) for the tribunal may be selected on the basis of general elections (which may be conducted by the election commission).

Centers of the Anti-Corruption Machinery: 1. The C.V.C should have a center at every district in the country. 2. The Anti-Corruption tribunal should have a wing in every state of the country.

3. Toll Free helpline phone numbers should be provided at every center of C.V.C.

Establishment of a National University and the Roles of U.P.S.C and E.C in It: 1. A National university may be established through UPSC where in students may be trained on various aspects of ethical politics and governance together with the basic courses. The students will also be trained to work under constant monitoring of C.V.C and general public. 2. The education from the university should be offered free of cost.

3. The university should offer only eight years integrated post graduation courses. 4. Those who have cleared Class-10th examination of recognized boards should be eligible for admissions in the university. The University may declare number of seats available for the courses from time to time. U.P.S.C may conduct competitive exams for entrance into the university.

5. M.Ps and M.L.As should mandatorily have a degree from this university before being elected. 6. The University should have centers /colleges in every state of the country.

7. The activities of the students in the university should be made public through mass communication media. 8. The profile of every student and their achievements should be advertised by the university at the time of elections.

9. The entire cost of election campaign should be arranged and monitored by the E.C. 10. The degree holders of the university are free to join nationally registered political parties. It is advised to have only two such national parties. 11. The degree holders of the university who are not elected as M.Ps or M.L.As should be given positions advertised by U.P.S.C strictly on choice and merit basis. They also may be offered positions in other government or public sectors. 12. A special fund should be raised by U.P.S.C which will bear all the expenses of those who have served as M.Ps or M.L.As throughout their lives. Conclusion: Proper ethics deep rooted in people may bring immunity against corruption, the proposed national university may be able fulfill this notion by training students from an early age of fourteen or fifteen. The mechanism of the proposed anti-corruption machinery may highly paralyze the disease of corruption if implemented sincerely. The pass out students of the proposed national university will have assured employment in the government or public sectors.
About The Proposer: The proposer, Pragnan Chakravorty, is presently an Associate Professor in the department of Electronics & Telecommunication in MP Christian College of Engineering & Technology, Bhilai. With a teaching experience of over ten years and an M.Tech degree in RF & Microwave Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, he is involved in research of RF & Microwave Electronics. He reserves a keen interest in administrative structuring of organizations and is highly encouraged by the anti corruption movement carried out by Padmabhushan Shri Anna Hazare.