Six MLAs have failed to declare their assets for the financial year ending March this year and the only action that can be taken against them is publication of their names in two leading newspapers. The idea is to shame them, but will that work on politicians who have developed thick skins? It is ironical that one has to go back to the same politicians to add teeth to this otherwise weak law, because in the absence of a strong deterrent some elected representatives will always violate it. On the other hand how does the annual declaration of assets before the Lokayukta help if the general public has no access to these documents? What purpose is served if the nature of assets acquired by elected representatives is kept secret? The Lokayukta law was enacted with the specific purpose of curbing corruption and one way of gauging the quantum of ill-gotten wealth is by scrutinizing the assets of elected representatives. If it is felt that these documents ought to be remain a secret then the Lokayukta must take up the task of scrutinizing them and either clear the MLAs name of prosecute him for acquiring assets beyond known sources of income. The same must be made applicable to bureaucrats as well.
