Editorial
Search body at last
Let's have a truly independent anti-graft commission
The government has moved closer to setting up the much-awaited independent anti-corruption commission by forming a selection committee that will pick up the commissioners for it. It is believed that pressure from the development partners has expedited the process of setting up the commission. What civil society prodding and public anxiety to have an anti-graft body at the earliest couldn't do, has apparently been achieved for a beginning.The fact remains, however, that a move has been made towards forming an anti-graft commission and that should be welcomed for what it is worth. The crucial follow-up concern is that persons with the right credentials in terms of impartial character, probity and honesty should be chosen to man the commission. We now look forward to an early constitution of the commission and the flagging off of its operations for the attainment of the objectives set for it. The law minister said recently that an existing law needs to be amended to provide for a court to try the cases referred to it by the commission. However, the legal intricacies should not be difficult to overcome now that we stand committed to setting up the commission in full international glare. The intent of the government will be a crucially important factor in helping the commission attain its foremost goal -- containing corruption which has earned the country not only immense misery but also bad reputation. There should be an adequate delegation of financial authority to the chairman of the commission so that the statutory body can function smoothly. The personality of the chairman of the proposed commission will also have a bearing on its functioning.
| 
