Role of Lokpal in Fostering Ethical Governance and Society
| Author | U.C. Agarwal |
| Date | 01 July 2013 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0019556120130301 |
| Published date | 01 July 2013 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ROLE
OF
LOKPAL IN FOSTERING ETHICAL
GOVERNANCE
AND
SOCIETY
U.C. AGARWAL
It needs to be realised that a fear ridden and slow moving
administrative machinery is a serious handicap
in
the country s
progress
and
development. Undoubtedly corruption has
become highly worrisome
and
ought to be given highest
priority in combating
it.
This fight would however, be more
fruitful if undertaken in rational and prudent ways. Thus the
need
for
an independent, informal
and
speedy
citizens'
grievance redressal machinery was thought to be a sine qua
non
by
the
ARC
in
our
democrati_c
form
of
government. This is
the simplest and quickest way to deal with corruption
of
all
kinds. The long delayed Lokpal Bill should therefore be enacted
now
for
the long term interests
of
the country and the people.
POLffiCAL THINKERS after long observations had found that "Power
corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". As a remedy, French
political thinker Montesque had propounded the theory of "Separation
of
Powers" according to which too much power is not to be concentrated in
one individual or in any single institution. In order that power is not
exercised whimsically
or
arbitrarily suitable system
of
"checks and
balances" too has been advocated. In democratic states therefore there are
three separate organs
of
governance, i.e., the legislature, to make laws, the
executive to implement the laws, and the judiciary to interpret the laws. In
addition there are provisions
of
"checks and balances", to check abuses
of
power by any organ
of
the state. The legislature being popularly elected is
to express the will
of
the sovereign, i.e. the people. Nevertheless, the
judiciary is empowered to exercise required checks over the legislature
too so that it enacts laws without violating any constitutional provisions.
The judiciary also exercises check over the executive so that in the
implementation
of
laws by it the constitutional rights
of
the citizens or
other laws are not violated. Such systems
of
"separation
of
powers" and
checks and balances are necessary for good governance and to safeguard
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