India needs Positive Public Discourse – An Open Letter to Anna

Dear Anna Saheb & Arvind Kejriwal,
I wonder, what do you all have to say about :

1) Now that EGoM on Telecom has fixed a tarriff of Rs,14,000 Crores for 5Mz, all telcos and commentators are lamenting that “the Price of Telecom services will rise”. Telecom services will get out of reach of many.
It is my belief that CAG, a constitutional body, over stepped its “Äudit” mandate in so called 2G scam. Audit function, is to verify the accounts as presented, whether the expense or revenue is per laid down policy and prudential norms.

Mr Rai, the CAG made a statement that he will be an “activist” and audit the effect of such expense’ or program. A very welcome stance, given the oversight’ needs on a generally lethargic, less than caring management, of economic affairs by Govts, of all hues.
Most commentators let it pass, since such activism will be good for the country, a’la Sheshan at Election Commission, in theory.

But, CAG overstepped, way beyond its dharma. There was and is corruption – the political class took, may be Rs 200-500 Cr in bribes. But the hammer beat of 24/7 channels picked up Rs 1,76,000 Cr and any such imagined astronomical numbers.
A vitiated public life is the result: the bitterness and acrimony has brought the country on its knees, so to speak. So many millions of Indians will have to wait another generation before the curse of poverty is lifted off them.

2) Govt of India forces ONGC to sell its Crude Oil output @ $47-$49/ barrel against the international price of $95- $105/ barrel.
Will CAG ever comment on this? And will India-Against-Corruption have anything to say on this?

And what about the inane and irresponsible statements Baba Ramdev keeps making: Rs 35/l petrol indeed!!

Our institutions, as they are, need to be strengthened and developed. Period. And outfits likes yours can provide oversight from outside, as the legislators and executive are colluding – for funding their political operations.
There is one such sterling piece of “oversight” work / framework crafted by you all – the RTI.

You are messing it up with Lokpal.

Warm regards
—

Vinod Dhall

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania