Question

Here are some challenges that require political reforms. Discuss these challenges in detail study the reform options offered here and give your preferred solution with reasons. Remember that none of the options offered here is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. You can opt for a mix of more than one options, or come up with something that is not offered here. But you must give your solution in details and offer reasons for your choice.

Doctors’ absenteeism Challenge:

Political funding Challenge:

Uttar Pradesh government got a survey done and found out that most of the doctors posted in the rural primary health centres are simply not there. They live in a town, carry out private practice and visit the village where they are posted only once or twice in the entire month. Villagers have to travel to towns and pay very high fee to private doctors even for common ailments. Reform proposals: • The government should make it compulsory for the doctors to live in the village where they are posted, otherwise their service should be terminated. • District administration and police should carry out surprise raids to check the attendance of the doctors. • Village panchayat should be given the power to write the annual report of the doctor which should be read out in the gram sabha meeting. • Problems like this can be solved only if Uttar Pradesh is split into several smaller states which can be administered more efficiently.

On an average, every candidate who contested the last Lok Sabha elections owned a property of more than Rs one crore. There is a fear that only wealthy people or those with their support can afford to fight elections. Most of the political parties are dependent on money given by big business houses. The worry is that the role of money in politics will reduce whatever little voice the poor have in our democracy. Reform proposals: • The financial accounts of every political party should be made public. These accounts should be examined by government auditors. • There should be state funding of elections. Parties should be given some money by the government to meet their election expenditure. • Citizens should be encouraged to give more donations to parties and to political workers. Such donations should be exempt from income tax.

Any other problem of your choice
Challenge:
Reform proposals:

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Answer 1

Challenge

There is an increased criminalisation of politics. Many people who have been charged with criminal cases have nominated their papers for the central and the state elections. There is general concern among the common people about the outcome of the elections. Often such contestants get themselves elected either by rigging the votes or by distributing money to the people. If people with criminal charges get elected to Parliament, then what kind of governance can be expected out of them?

Reform Proposals:

• People with serious criminal charges should be debarred from contesting the elections.
• Fast courts should be set up for the trial of convicted MPs and MLAs.
• Steps should be taken to prohibit any kind of monetary and material distribution at the eve of elections.