Involvement of politicians and those close to them in scams and scandals is nothing new. Recent emergence of 2G spectrum, CWG, and land scams in Karnataka has only added to the long list of the Harshad Mehtas and Bangaru Laxmans. This is the natural corollary of lopsided growth of crass materialism.
Embezzlement of funds during the preparation of Commonwealth Games, now known as CWG scam, is being probed. Sacking of CWG officials and arrests of some of them are added insults to this phenomenon. The Supreme Court has refused to restore Prasar Bharti CEO’s powers and directed that all day-to-day work of the public broadcaster would be handled jointly by a three-member team consisting of its CEO and Members (Finance and Personnel) in accordance with a Delhi High Court order. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) submitted that the CVC report makes it clear that there have been large-scale financial irregularities in the functioning of the public broadcaster. Alleging that Lalli had abused the interim order of the Apex Court, Bhushan added that the irregularities relating to the contract of the Commonwealth Games have also surfaced as he had entered into the contract by himself.
Indictment of former Telecom Minister A Raja, who has now tendered resignation from his services, for allegedly committing irregularities in allocation of 2G spectrum that has caused a presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer, is an eye-opener. Parliament has been paralysed for the last few days, virtually turning the first two weeks of Winter Session into a washout. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been witnessing uproar and commotion. It is a situation in which Parliament cannot transact its business. It has come to a sorry pass that during the last two weeks, the Lok Sabha has functioned for one day on the November 9 when the Winter session began. But the government is stuck to its opposition to setting up of JPC to probe 2G spectrum allocation, saying the matter could be looked into by the Public Accounts Committee which is “almost a permanent JPC”. The Opposition, particularly the BJP, has the cheek and temerity to accuse Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to have ‘presided’ over these corrupt dealings and of “guilty of omission if not commission”.
Land scam in BJP-ruled Karnataka has also added to the ongoing pandemonium in Parliament with Congress and JD(S) dubbing Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa as “corrupt”. This accusation and counter accusation have told badly upon the functioning of Parliament for days together at the cost of public exchequer. Crores of rupees are spent on the functioning of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Our representatives should think of this colossal loss.
A close analysis of these scams and scandals presents an ugly picture of a God-less society, where accountability finds no room and where the beaten policy of eat-drink-and-be-merry is being pursued. The only remedy lies in turning to God and giving accountability before the public and ultimately before the Lord Almighty its due place in society and political corridors as well.