Law students examine nuances of Jan Lokpal Bill-Aug 17, 2011

Law students examine nuances of Jan Lokpal Bill

Manasvini NoronhaManasvini Noronha, TNN | Aug 17, 2011, 12.53AM IST


NAGPUR: Law students from various city colleges presented nuanced and articulate views at a debate competition held to analyse the merits and demerits of the Jan Lokpal Bill on Monday in the high court auditorium. The competition was organised by Vidarbha Lady Lawyers Association (VLLA).

Budding lawyers put forth their viewpoints on possible outcomes of the Jan Lokpal Bill. As the Bill drew support of many, the need of another institution to tackle corruption was, on the other hand, dismissed by some.

Pranjali Madnani, a student of GH Raisoni Law School, said, "There is no dearth of anti-corruption acts. The solution lies in effective implementation. There can be amendments to the present law tackling corruption. It is better that we make the best use of what we have."

She added that if the highest executives and judicial officers are included in the purview of Jan Lokpal Bill, there will be 'total anarchy.'

Countering this view was the opinion of some students that existing laws had failed to rein in corruption. "We don't have a single corruption act that has come into force until today. Multitudes have turned in support for the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill. It introduces a foolproof system to make officials from the lowest to the highest grade accountable."

Shyamali Naidu said that the Bill was a revolution and that the government has gone to great lengths to oppose it. "The government does not want to land in soup after being caught red-handed. The establishment of Lokayukta will tackle state-level corruption and will serve as a helping hand to the Supreme Court as probing in every case of CBI is not possible."

Some held that bypassing the whole system was not an effective solution to curb corruption. However, students said the Bill would definitely bring transparency into the system. Rohini Jaiswal said, "If the law for curbing corruption leaves out bureaucrats and higher officials, they would be awarded with immunity against corruption. It will not safeguard anybody if all are not included in its ambit."