Apropos the editorial “The governance deficit” (January 19), the unprecedented move by prominent members of the civil society and top industry leaders to air their voices through an “open letter to our leaders” against widespread corruption and governance deficit in India shows how bad things are.
The editorial observes that the statement issued by these concerned citizens does not point only to the central government. In fact, the “open letter” is an indictment of the entire governance system in India. The larger problem of governance deficit may be at the state level. But it is the Centre’s handling of mega scams and brazenly challenging the authority and destroying the integrity of the constitutional institutions, that prompted the prominent citizens and business leaders to speak up. Look at the way the prime minister looked the other way while the 2G scam caused a huge loss to the exchequer, and retained A Raja till the media and public pressured hard. Why was P J Thomas appointed Central Vigilance Commissioner despite his alleged involvement in the Kerala palmolein oil import scandal? Also, remember that the government told the Supreme Court that integrity was not a matter of eligibility in such appointments. Moreover, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal questioned the Comptroller and Auditor General’s authority and rubbished the report on 2G scam.
Those in power think society would remain silent. This silence has made the rulers indifferent to probity and accountability in governance. If prominent citizens and top business leaders came to realise that a large section of Indian population is deeply perturbed by the prevailing state of affairs and felt it was time to raise the voice of disapproval, it is a positive and welcome development that augurs well for the country.
M C Joshi, Lucknow
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