Saturday, August 20, 2011

Why should I have faith in Parliament?

For those who say that the Parliament (including all parties) is supreme, I have the following questions:

  1. This parliament has 4 ministers in Jail and 150 ministers indicted in criminal charges.
  2. The Parliament has not passed a single Private Member’s Bill in 43 years, 97% of the Private member’s bill have never been debated in the parliament. Anna’ team and the people of India have the constitutional right to ask for their version of the bill to be produced and debated. Remember – they have never said that it’s “our way or the highway!” And Anna and his team has the constitutional right to protest if their bill is not introduced.
  3. The Government was the last one after 6 years and 140 countries to ratify the UN Resolution {article 68 (1)} against Corruption, the delay showing complete lack of intention to fight corruption! http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC/signatories.html
  4. The PM having promised that he would take steps to bring back the Black Money in 100 days before the last elections, has not only failed to do so but also found it unnecessary to even communicate or explain the reasons thereof. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2074736.ece, http://www.indianexpress.com/news/action-to-recover-black-money-in-swiss-banks/496033/, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ill-revive-economy-in-100-days-PM/articleshow/4446319.cms?intenttarget=no
  5. And a note about pre-drafting and legislative and consultative process that all major democracies such as US, UK, France, Germany, etc., follow: What consultation has taken place before Government Bill was drafted? The government has not consulted interested parties such as trade unions, industry bodies and pressure groups? Other democracies such as UK, US, France, Germany, etc specifies a minimum consultation period of twelve weeks. Has the government published a Green Paper outlining various legislative options before its version of the Bill was drafted?

So Parliament is not supreme – the people are! And we the people of India are educated and understand the complete lack of will and intention on the part of the parliament to fight corruption!!!

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