Justice Verma wants independent panel against corruption

NEW DELHI - Supporting the suggestion for creation of an independent commission against corruption, former chief justice of India J.S. Verma said here Tuesday that individuals have to be part of the change and everyone must speak up.

Delivering a lecture Corruption Free Governance here, Justice Verma said that anyone having doubtful credentials must not be appointed to a top post.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s words we have to be the change, Justice Verma said each member of the civil society should be a part of the fight against corruption.

Referring to transcripts of the conversations of corporate lobbyists Niira Radia, Justice Verma said there were reports that what has come in public domain was only five to 10 percent of the recorded conversations.

People from media, which is considered the fourth estate, have collaborated with people for wrong kind of things, he said.

Touching the issue of Indian money illegally stashed in foreign banks, Justice Verma said the amount was enough to create employment for 60 crore people or to give every Indian Rs.2,000 for the next 60 years.

India may be poor, Indians are not, he said.

Citing figures, he said that money plundered by Indians and deposited abroad was far in excess of the money plundered by the British in their rule over the country.

In an indirect reference to criticism faced by the United Progressive Alliance government over the 2G spectrum scam, he said it was not enough for the top leader to be a man of honesty.

He said senior officials including former chief election commissioners and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) directors should not take up government assignments after retirement.

Almost every CBI director has ensured very good post retirement career… Ultimately, CBI’s opinion depends on who is in power, Justice Verma said.

Referring to the sense of unease among people over a series of corruption allegations, he said public anger must be sustained.

Effort has to go out of workshops. Action has to be on streets. Thought has to be translated into action, he said.

Calling for a policy of maximum disclosure, he said even the judiciary was not prepared to do it.

In his introductory remarks, former Jharkhand governor Prabhat Kumar said a new institutional framework was needed to fight corruption, in addition to the CBI, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Lokpal bill.

He said an independent commission against corruption should be set up.

The lecture was organised by Institute of Change Centre for Governance and the India International Centre.