The Hindu : 'Mafia and black money are a threat to democracy'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 28, 2003

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'Mafia and black money are a threat to democracy'

By Our Special Correspondent

Photo: K. Gopinathan

Justice N. Venkatachala, Lok Ayukta of Karnataka (centre), with Hari Jai Singh, president, All-India Editors Guild (left) and Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy, chairman, Press Council of India, at a seminar in Bangalore on Saturday.

BANGALORE SEPT. 27. The president of All-India Editors' Guild, Hari Jaisingh, today said that the battle against corruption and black money operation in India had to be a long-drawn-out affair.``Corruption in India is fast becoming a way of life, a way of thinking and a way of functional `adharma' in the polity.'' The danger to the country's democracy and freedom of the press came from the growing power of mafia and black money.

Speaking at a seminar on ``Media's support to Lok Ayukta in eradication of corruption amongst public servants'' here, Mr. Jaisingh said black money had become more pervasive than ``white,'' open or official economy.

Corruption was part of the drift in the polity. The real beneficiaries in the ongoing drift were black-marketers, smugglers, criminals, anti-social elements, unscrupulous traders and businessmen, and the opportunists among officials and politicians.

According to a Social Watch India report, there were 700 legislators with criminal records. The system had been tampered with to the advantage of those at the helm and their collaborators. The nexus of a section of politicians with criminals, of criminals with a section of policemen, and a section of bureaucrats with the mafia at different levels had vitiated the atmosphere, he said.

Though the N.N. Vohra committee had given concrete examples of such collaborations, the report was gathering dust.

Stating that all was not lost as yet, Mr. Jaisingh said the nation was still vibrant and the people, the media, and the judiciary were reasonably vigilant. There was a need to build up public pressure through credible information.

The press had reported cases of miscarriage of justice. It had exposed the wrongs perpetrated on the weaker section by feudal lords and authorities. Administrative and electoral reforms and a vigilant press and people hold the key to building a comparatively cleaner polity. The people's right to information, simplification of rules and procedures, and strict enforcement of law would help create a corruption-free environment. ``Democracy has to be seen as a potent weapon to fight corruption.''

Mr. Jaisingh the steps taken by the Lok Ayukta in Karnataka to curb corruption. Unlike in other States, the Lokayukta, headed by Justice N. Venkatachala, was functioning very effectively, he said.

The Chairman of the Press Council of India, Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy, said corruption was always associated with power, and it was an enemy of development. No system of the state was free from corruption. India was ranked 72 in the list of 92 most corrupt countries.

``It is startling that the Indian citizen is paying 40 per cent more for the power he was using because of corruption.'' The fight against corruption should be given a national priority, he said.

The ADGP of Karnataka Lok Ayukta, B.N.P. Albuquerque, welcomed the guests.

The Lok Ayukta, Mr. Justice N. Venkatachala, introduced the guests.

D. Krishnappa, Registrar, Karnataka Lok Ayukta, proposed a vote of thanks.

The Karnataka Lok Ayukta had organised the seminar.

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