Relevance : GS Paper II
Last few years have seen attacks on anti-corruption laws and institutions.
Blows to Fighting Graft
- PCA: The amendment to PCA narrows down the definition of corruption, and negatively impacts the whistle-blowers.
- CBI: Recent months have witnessed a brazen undermining of the autonomy of the CBI.
- LOKPAL: The government failed to take the necessary steps to appoint a Lokpal in five years.
- WHISTLE BLOWERS: The government has failed to promulgate rules and operationalise the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014.
- GRIEVANCE BILL: No attempts have been made by the government to reintroduce the Grievance Redress Bill that deals with ‘petty corruption’.
- RTI Act: Not a single commissioner was appointed to the Central Information Commission in the last five years without intervention by courts.
- ELECTORAL BONDS:. The electoral bond scheme prevents citizens from finding out who is funding political parties.
Conclusion
Political will to take necessary steps to curb corruption is needed.