Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

General Studies Paper 2

Context: As both the State and Central government were perceived to be corrupt, the Congress benefited

Introduction

• We define corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Corruption erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development, and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis.
• Exposing corruption and holding the corrupt to account can only happen if we understand the way corruption works and the systems that enable it.

Prevention of Corruption act, 1988.

• On September 9, 1988, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (henceforth abbreviated as PCA) became operative. Its goal was to increase the overall effectiveness of anti-corruption statutes by broadening their scope and fortifying their provisions.
• Features of the act:
• With minor modifications to the original language, it combines the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1952, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Sections 161 to 165-A of the Indian Penal Code.
• The definition now includes terms like “public servant” and “public duty.”
• As stated in the CrPC, it has moved the burden of proof from the prosecution to the person facing charges.
• The Act’s provisions make it very clear that an officer, not a person lower in rank than Deputy Superintendent of Police, must conduct the investigation.
• Bribery, misappropriation, gaining a financial advantage, having assets that are out of proportion to one’s income, and similar corrupt practices are all covered by the Act.

Impact on electoral politics

• The political atmosphere during the Telangana Assembly elections was marked by accusations from the Congress and the BJP against the BRS government. The K. Chandrashekar Rao-led government was alleged to be involved in corruption throughout its tenure. The findings of the CSDS-Lokniti post-poll study indicate that corruption emerged as a prominent source of dissatisfaction for the voters.
• Approximately half the voters in the State felt that corruption had increased over the past five years. Only about a quarter believed that there was a decrease in corruption. Two in 10 voters felt that there was no change in corruption in the last five years. Public discontent can also be gleaned from the fact that the issue of corruption was ranked as the second most unacceptable action of the BRS government. One in 10 voters identified this issue as a significant concern.
• This has an impact on voter choices. The perception of corruption in the BRS and BJP governments, coupled with the attribution of anti-corruption efforts to the Congress, played a significant role in shaping voters’ preferences towards Congress.

The Representation of the People Act (RPA),1951

• Important features:
• It controls how elections and by-elections are actually conducted.
• It offers the administrative tools needed to hold elections.
• It has to do with political party registration.
• It outlines the requirements as well as the exclusions from House membership.
• It has measures to stop other offenses and corrupt behaviour.
• It establishes the process for resolving questions and disagreements following elections.

Conclusion

• This has an impact on voter choices. The perception of corruption in the BRS and BJP governments, coupled with the attribution of anti-corruption efforts to the Congress, played a significant role in shaping voters’ preferences towards Congress.