Hold simultaneous polls to rid corruption, casteism: Shekhawat

New Delhi, Jun 11: Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has stressed the need for holding simultaneous elections to Parliament and assemblies to rid the country of the scourge of casteism, corruption and criminalisation of politics.

Mr Shekhawat told UNI that recent trend of frequent election has dealt a heavy blow to governance as political expediency overtakes genuine public welfare and long term national interests.

Since frequent elections generate demand for larger campaign funds it causes corruption and lack of public faith and confidence in the democracy, he said.

The Vice President felt that holding simultaneous elections would reduce the electoral expenses and reduce influence of money and mafia. It would bring more coordination between Parliament and assemblies on policy matters, he said and advocated simultaneous elections for panchayats and municipalities also as it would further reduce the electoral expenses.

Simultaneous polls would also reduce the recent trend of caste based politics as people from all caste and community will get equal opportunity in simultaneous elections, he observed and felt that it would also help in reducing criminalisation of politics. He said public survey by a magazine also revealed that 69 per cent people wanted simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and assemblies.

However, on the public funding of poll expenses to reduce corruption, Mr Shekhawat said it was not feasible as it will put heavy burden on public exchequer.

Advocating upholding of probity and ethics in public life, Mr Shekhawat said without rooting out corruption there could not be good governance. He aksed the politicians to set up an example through their conduct.

Lamenting that not even a single case of corruption on which debate in Parliament has been held was convicted, except for the recent disqualification of MPs exposed by the sting operation, the Rajya Sabha chairman said the Lokpal Bill should be passed soon so as to establish a mechanism to look into cases of corruption at high places.

However, he said the Office of President and Prime Minister should not fall under the ambit of Lokpal as bringing these offices under its purview would expose the government of ''blackmail.''

''Anyone having grievance against the government or the Prime Minsiter, could make a complaint to the Lokpal and hold the government to ransom. Moreover, in case of any corruption charges against the Prime Minister, the constitutional provision of bringing a no confidence motion in Parliament already exists,'' he observed.

As far as President is concerned, he is the Constitutional head and making complaint against the President would mean challenging the entire foundation of the democracy, he noted.

Pointing out that commonman faces a great deal of hardship and inconvenience due to corruption at lower level be it for getting driving license, electricity connection or electoral or ration card, the Vice President called for comprehensive administrative reforms to provide efficient and corruption free delivery of services to the ordinary man.

Based on his experience as three time Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Shekhawat said effective supervision and making each supervisor accountable for specific and defined areas of responsibility, backed by a system of regular inspection, review and monitoring are the key to efficiency and integrity in administration.

He also stressed the need for judicial reforms to provide speedy justice to people. Pointing out that Fast Track Courts have given verdict in three cases of rape in Rajasthan within a few days, he said more such fast track courts need to be set up in the country to provide timely justice to the people and reduce the burden of pending litigation on courts.

UNI