Haste and fast

The entire spectrum of opinion on the Lokpal bill was on display at the all-party meeting on the issue. Meanwhile, Anna Hazare and his comrades promise another round of agitation, an indefinite fast, a jail bharo campaign and protest outside the homes of Congress leaders, if the bill is not cleared in this parliamentary session, and insist that the session be extended until it is passed.

So far, the points of disagreement between parties have been on the inclusion of the prime minister, the lower bureaucracy, and the CBI — and while there is a rough consensus forming on some aspects, there are also deep individual reservations that must be heard in Parliament. The BJP wants the PM’s office covered, except for national security and defence-related matters. The Left wants to throw in “commercial dealings that raise suspicion”. The CPI wants the lower bureaucracy out, the CPM wants it in. The SP and LJP want reservations for minorities, SC/STs and backward classes. The Shiv Sena and the MIM don’t want the Lokpal at all. These differences only demonstrate the challenge of introducing a satisfactory Lokpal law, despite the best intentions. After all, eight separate versions have been put forward over decades, with their own different emphases — but none of them has made the cut.

The Lokpal bill now proposed is ambitious, but this time there is visible political will to pass it, created by Team Anna’s loud and insistent drumbeat. Team Anna’s concerns may be heartfelt, but they should not determine the default settings of the bill, or hold a gun to Parliament. Parties and MPs must independently consider and draft a responsible law. The Union cabinet has already cleared a separate public grievances redressal bill, the judicial accountability bill and the whistleblower bill, all of which aim to keep government accountable and responsive to the people. Parliament must consider exactly how the Lokpal will advance public integrity, without becoming its own swollen bureaucracy and without upsetting important institutional balances. While there is clear pressure to enact this legislation soon, most political parties have sensibly cautioned against rushing it through. This proposed office is no trifling matter — it will potentially oversee all our public officials (with riders and qualifications). Rather than bringing in a hasty law they might regret or be forced to amend, this is the time for all parties concerned to keep a clear head, and display control and deliberation.