'Opportunity to ensure probity in public life'

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, some New Delhi-based writers and intellectuals write:

A group of professors of IIM, Ahmedabad, formed the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in November 1999 in the Delhi High Court for ensuring ``cleaner'' legislators. The landmark judgment of the High Court by Justices Mr. Anil Dev Sharma and Mr. M.K. Sharma (CWP No 7257 of Nov. 2, 1999) directed that persons seeking legislative positions must additionally file an affidavit with the Election Commission stating their assets, credibility for seeking public office (including educational qualifications) and whether they were ever criminally convicted.

The Election Commission was directed to make this information available to the voter though print and electronic media. Several NGOs and human rights groups actively supported this move. The recent Tehelka exposures only underscore the relevance of taking this judgment seriously.

The Government has unfortunately filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP C No 737 of 2001) seeking interim relief which stalls implementation. The SLP comes up for consideration this month. In this context, we want you, the Prime Minister, to reconsider acceptance of the judgment and drop the SLP and signal the NDA Government's commitment to integrity in public life.

We want you to implement the promises to cleanse governance stated in Mandate 26 of the NDA agenda. As Prime Minister, we also want the you to remind Government servants of the Conduct Rules, 1964. Government employment is far too secure and there is no effective deterrent against corruption or bad performance. Sir, you now has an ideal opportunity to make commitments to cleanse the system and thereby improve your party's image. It is an opportunity not to be passed by.

The signatories are: Messrs. Murad Ali Baig, Promod Chawla, Maja Daruwala, Shankar Ghose, Askari Imam, Prem Shankar Jha, R.M. Pal, Kamal Sharma, Anant Trivedi and Ms. Tara Sinha.

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