India is shining… yes… but gold’s reaching the wrong hands
This is a well-known fact - yet I feel compelled to write about it again. Its one of those topics I have always been interested in - on how simple government policies can affect the fate of millions (urm, billions, I mean).
In one of the recent mails from National Election Watch, I noticed the following statistics.
- 139 candidates (32%) with self declared pending criminal charges contesting in the fifth phase of Bihar Assembly Elections.
- 75 candidates out of these 139 have declared serious IPC charges like murder and attempt to murder charges against them.
- All major parties have given tickets to candidates with pending criminal cases. RJD – 65%, JD (U) – 59%, BJP – 54%, INC – 40%, BSP – 40%, LJP – 33%.
- 297 candidates (67%) have not declared their PAN card details.
Yes, they are quite stunning. However, its interesting to note that electoral policy does allow criminals to stand for election. The electoral law’s policy on criminals is as follows… (i) criminal accused even if charge- sheeted and undergoing trial can stand for election irrespective of how serious the charge is (ii) Candidates convicted of communal and social offences shall be disqualified for six years if punished by fine; and if imprisoned further six years from release. (iii) Candidates convicted of profiteering, adulteration of food and medicine or under the Dowry Act shall be disqualified for six years from release if convicted for more than six months (iv) Candidates convicted of any crime for 2 years or more shall be disqualified for six years from release (v) Candidates who are sitting MP’s effectively continue as MP until the final appeal to the highest court through an MP’s loop-hole. Would be interesting to know how many countries are so liberal in their policies. Search “can criminals contest elections” in Google, and see what you get back. Two countries take up most of the results - India (highest) and Nigeria.
