Civil society voices its views on corruption

MANGALORE: The civil society here was unanimous that unless inequalities in every sphere of life were eradicated, corruption would be hard to eliminate. The members also wanted a definitive definition of corruption as it happened both within legal framework and also outside it.
Retired professor of social work Rita Noronha prefaced the discussion on corruption and Jan Lokpal bill saying that socio-structural and socio-cultural system was the primary reason for corruption to exist and thrive from early times.
The discussion was organized to collect views from the civil society and present it to the government panel on Jan Lokpal, Anna Hazare panel and the National Advisory Committee.
Lolaksha, working president, Ahinda and Convener of Constitutional Movement said there are many constitutional bodies and let Lokpal not be another addition. He said the first process should be strengthening the democratic institutions and rights of people.
Prof Udayashankar, SDM Law College, lamented that corruption was glorified as the values were eroded. He also noted that the society was such that it was difficult for a person with values to survive.