Rahul Gandhi intervenes for more transparency in public life

In the era of leaders who have been indulging in blame game on their political opponents, here is a different young leader Rahul Gandhi who silently intervenes in the matters related to the interest of the country as well as its people. The recent letters he sent to the Prime Minister reveal that the young Congress General Secretary, without making noise, had tried to highlight many issues and sought the intervention of the Union Government. In a total of seventeen letters he sent to the Prime Minister, he addressed several issues including the relief and reconstruction efforts undertaken by the Government in flood-ravaged Leh, the plight of weavers, the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, safety of Indian fishermen who face attacks from Sri Lankan Navy and the issues related to the UP village, Bhatta-Parsaul.

Further, most importantly, in one of his letters Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi also stressed for the need to ensure more transparency in public life. Rahul Gandhi had requested the Union Government to make policies so as disclose the assets of not only the Ministers but also their spouses and children. His idea is that Ministers' kin should also come clean on their wealth and properties. Accordingly, in September this year, the Union Government had promptly acted by publishing the assets of its Ministers and their close relatives.

"I have read reports in certain sections of our media that on your request the Cabinet Secretary is writing to all the members of the Union Council of Ministers seeking details of the assets and liabilities of your ministerial colleagues. I feel this is a very welcome step towards transparency and probity in public life. I would like to suggest that, for the purpose of completeness and in order to clearly demonstrate the transparency which you are seeking to bring into public life, the Government may seek financial disclosure not merely from the members of the Union Council but also from their spouses, progeny, siblings and parents. I feel bringing immediate family members into the fold will strengthen the endeavour," Rahul Gandhi had written to the PM on November 23, 2010.

The Prime Minister had acknowledged Rahul's letter on December 1, 2010. On December 9, the PMO sent a confidential note to the cabinet secretary's office with a note that Rahul Gandhi's suggestion "be kindly examined".

Congress General Secretary has been trying to air his views during his public meetings and interactions. During his visit to Jammu & Kashmir he had expressed his opinion that unless the democracy reaches the common people, our country cannot develop.

This article is posted by pressbrief.in