M A I L B A G

Time to stem the rot in Parliament

The editorial “It’s a shame” (Dec 13) examines the shameful conduct of our members of Parliament. Close on the heels of the Operation Duryodhana comes the Operation Chakravyuh exposing some MPs misusing the Local Area Development Scheme. This shows that corruption has reached its zenith. We have to stem the rot in Parliament.

Despite growing public cynicism towards corruption, people have accepted it as a way of life. For, those indicted of corruption in public life invariably go scot-free and amass more “power, status and wealth”, giving credence to Voltaire’s view that corruption is an evil that grows respectable with age.

Professor Feslie Palmier, who has studied corruption in developing countries, feels that the roots of corruption “lie in providing opportunities to the corrupt.” Though it may sound ridiculous with the taxpayer already hit following the rising cost of maintaining Parliament, a reasonable hike in the MPs’ pay could increase the efficiency of Parliament.

AMREEN RAI, Chandigarh

II

The two sting operations raise disturbing questions on the character and moral integrity of some parliamentarians. Corruption and criminalisation of politics are not good for the country. As both are interlinked, this will have an adverse impact on the moral and ethical sanctity of Indian politics.

O.P. KALYANA, Chandigarh

III

Corruption alone seems to be a common denominator amongst our political parties. Obviously, cobrapost.com has exposed only the tip of the iceberg. No one would be surprised if similar operations are conducted in the state assemblies. Such elements deserve no mercy or leniency and deserve condign punishment.

The proceedings of the state legislatures too should be telecast on DD so that people will get to know what is happening there and the calibre and performance of their representatives. Perhaps some optimal interactivity between the parliamentarians and the people is possible because the issue in question is why should questions cost the nation?

Prof MOHAN SINGH, Amritsar

IV

An alert and vigilant media has exposed the ugly deeds of some black sheep in Parliament. With such representatives, India’s future can well be imagined. The Indian masses feel cheated as they have voted for corrupt people to represent them in Parliament. Why count only those involved in the Operation Duryodhana and Operation Chakravyuh? Others with same traits are not sacred cows just because the camera is not focussed at them.

Har shaakh pe ulloo baitha hai, anjam-e-gulistan kya hoga, lamented an Urdu poet to sum up such a situation. When the legislature, the executive and the judiciary go corrupt, the citadel of any set up, however towering, is bound to crumble. We have to save our Parliament.

KARNAIL SINGH, Ropar

V

An MP speaks for the benefit of all those who have elected him to Parliament. He/she is to strive for the development of his constituency. This is the duty he owes to them; he is not supposed to get money for a question to be put in Parliament.

Those exposed in the two sting operations must be punished. Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, expressed his anguish and said, “Nobody will be spared. We shall certainly respond to it in a manner that behoves us.” I am afraid, reports say, the Supreme Court majority ruling in the JMM MPs’ bribery case may come in handy for corrupt MPs. According to the ruling, the bribe-taking MPs can invoke immunity under Article 105 (2) of the Constitution if they have actually spoken or voted in Parliament in consideration of the bribe taken.

G.R. KALRA, Chandigarh

VI

It may be just a tip of the iceberg, but the random sample represents the whole lot. Such corrupt practices need to be nipped in the bud. Unfortunately, corruption has become the order of the day. The honest ones in our representative institutions are just a few. The naked dance of wealth has vitiated the system and we know from where the money comes. Unlucky are those who are caught by the camera.

S. K. AGGARWAL, Zirakpur

Bihar model best for Bengal Apropos of the editorial “Bihar model in Bengal” (Dec 5), the Left’s behaviour is indeed unacceptable. Ironically, whatever they preach, they themselves never follow. The Election Commission had done a commendable job by conducting free and fair elections in Bihar. The Left should come out with a clear policy. It has confused everyone by taking a self-contradictory stand on almost every issue. It endorses FDI in West Bengal but opposes it in New Delhi. Similarly, privatisation is good for West Bengal but bad for New Delhi. They lauded the Election Commission for its performance in Bihar, but when a similar strategy is planned for West Bengal, they are crying foul. ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar

PUDA’s ways

The Estate Officer, Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), Ludhiana, has informed the allottees of PUDA sites and financial institutions that they should obtain its permission before raising any bank loan. Otherwise, it has threatened to take action against them.

Surprisingly, instead of helping us in obtaining loans, PUDA is creating hurdles. It does not have the right or locus standi to put such a condition on the allottees.

PUDA is an ordinary seller like any other coloniser requiring money against the plot sold and the allottee is the buyer, who has to pay money against plot so purchased. It is the buyer’s prerogative to arrange funds from any source at his/her sweet will. Why should the allottee obtain PUDA’s permission for raising loan and for what purpose?

MANMOHAN S. GOGIA, Ludhiana