Question: What actions, if any, should be taken by Indian Government at the centre to control corruption by Members of Legislative Assembly in the constituency of Delhi?
These policy options is addressed to PMO (Prime Minister's Office) which is in charge at the centre to implement the policies for regional constitutional assemblies in Delhi. This policy should be such that it fixes the loopholes that leads to corruption and makes MLAs more accountable.
Three policy options are identified as follows:-
1. Status quo
People in Delhi are used to corruption and have accepted it as a part of their lives. Status quo is an easy option if the central government does not want to take concrete steps against corruption in order to remain in power. But status quo is not good in the long run and for the economy at large.
2. Introducing a law to make MLAs in Delhi accountable
Main flaw in the policies is that an MLA is not held accountable for the money spent in his constituency. His duties and responsibilities are not delineated properly. There is a need to revise these policies and a need for strict and swift action.
3. Distribution of power
MLAs in Delhi have a large area under their constituencies with a lot of control. In a democratic country like India, control of funds should be at the grass-root level, a term known as "swaraj". It aims at empowering smallest political entities that are more close to the people and giving people voting rights for better use of allocated funds.
References -
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaraj
These policy options is addressed to PMO (Prime Minister's Office) which is in charge at the centre to implement the policies for regional constitutional assemblies in Delhi. This policy should be such that it fixes the loopholes that leads to corruption and makes MLAs more accountable.
Three policy options are identified as follows:-
1. Status quo
People in Delhi are used to corruption and have accepted it as a part of their lives. Status quo is an easy option if the central government does not want to take concrete steps against corruption in order to remain in power. But status quo is not good in the long run and for the economy at large.
2. Introducing a law to make MLAs in Delhi accountable
Main flaw in the policies is that an MLA is not held accountable for the money spent in his constituency. His duties and responsibilities are not delineated properly. There is a need to revise these policies and a need for strict and swift action.
3. Distribution of power
MLAs in Delhi have a large area under their constituencies with a lot of control. In a democratic country like India, control of funds should be at the grass-root level, a term known as "swaraj". It aims at empowering smallest political entities that are more close to the people and giving people voting rights for better use of allocated funds.
References -
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaraj
Varun, I think this is an interesting topic and you present diverse policy options that are location- and culture-specific. I would recommend tying in a stronger link to “innovation” policy. What technologies or distribution systems could lend to increasing public responsibilities, in which the government might want to invest? And how might such investments improve people’s lives?
ReplyDeleteA few questions I’d like to pose. I don’t have any answers for them, but perhaps their consideration might help as you further define policy options:
• Why does the government care if MLAs are more accountable? What do they gain with less corruption?
• How much influence does the PMO have over regional constitutional assemblies?
• Option 2: what type of law are you considering? How is unaccountable defined? How is accountability enforced and what is the strict and swift punitive action? While not the exact same in scope, a US site comes to mind, OpenSecrets. It tracks money in the US political system. Perhaps the government could encourage the creation of a tracking infrastructure and electronic system for how Indian politicians spend their money. (I have no idea if such expenditures are publically available in India)
• Option 3: interesting, culture-specific idea. What type of financial system would be necessary for this transition of power/finances? How would those expenditures be disclosed to PMO? Use as a catalyst to innovate new financial transfer or tracking system?
Hi, Varun, I also have the opinion that the question has no obvious signal of "innovation", it was also a problem in my topic, and now I have fixed it by adding "How.......encourage the client of new innovations to....." , maybe it will help you. In addition, as I am not very familiar with the constitution of India, so I had to google it. Maybe you can add more background information about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also have some questions and advice in you options which may help to improve :
1. The status quo. You mentioned that the current policy is not good in the long run and for the economy at large. While I can not directly get how it will have this effect, so I think you can give more analysis about it.
2. The second and third policy mainly aimed at the control and the distribution of money using. What kind of innovation on law making can help regulate the use of money? And what is the restriction of you option?
I hope my comment will do some help.