SC Lens on jump in politician’s wealth

TOPIC: GS PAPER IV ETHICS

Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Information sharing and transparency in government.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to furnish details of the action taken against MLAs and members of Parliament whose assets had grown manifold during the intervening period between two elections.

HIGHLIGHTS :

• The bench said a probe is needed to find the source of income and whether property amassed was through legal means
• It pulled up Centre for its reluctance in sharing information
• It also asked the Centre why it is shying away from a probe

PRESENT SCENERIO:

• The present practice of candidates filing an affidavit disclosing their income must also give information about the source of income of the candidate and his/her spouse and dependents.
• The Centre, told the court that the “government believes in action and is not averse to reforms. The Central Board of Direct Taxes had been taking action whenever it found there were unexplained known sources of income.”
• An investigation into the affairs of those contesting polls as a class was not undertaken, specific cases where there was reason to undertake verification were enquired into.
• It was pointed out that 113 MPs had shown themselves as social activists or housewives or those without any adequate source of income. However, their assets seemed to have gone up by 5-10 times.

The Association of Democratic Rights had filed an affidavit indicating the number of legislators whose income had grown hugely in the past five years when they filed the first affidavit of assets and the subsequent affidavit.

• It also pleaded that candidates should declare whether they or their spouses/dependants have any contracts with the government or a public company, or any share or interest in a private company.
• It was pointed out that 113 MPs had shown themselves as social activists or those without any adequate source of income. However, their assets seemed to have gone up by 5-10 times, the petitioner said. The source must be declared to enable voters to decide whether the wealth acquired by the candidate is legitimate or not.

CONCLUSION:

There is a need for a decisive war against the menace of corruption, black money and terrorism and  corruption, black money and terrorism are festering wounds which make the country hollow from within.This shows the extent of the web of corruption in the country. The disease of corruption is the domain of some veted people who are flourishing. Some people have misused their positions and benefitted. On the other hand, honest people are suffering.
QUESTION ARISING FROM THIS TOPIC:

Q1)  Recently Supreme Court lens on jump in politician’s wealth. Critically comment on issues involved in funding of political parties in India and their implications on governance. Explain.