Two years into UPA-II, Sonia Gandhi made the brave statement at a celebratory event that the Congress-led coalition would “take corruption head on” and “demonstrate through actions, not words, that we mean what we say.” She went so far as to claim that “transparency, accountability and probity are the very heart of our governance.” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sounded similar sentiments in lower key, acknowledging that public concern over the “pervasiveness of corruption” was legitimate and pledging that his government would take “corrective action” and would not hesitate to act against “misuse of public office.” Considering how low the credibility of the UPA government has sunk on the issues of corruption and abuse of power — notwithstanding the Prime Minister's undisputed personal financial integrity — the task is uphill all the way. The 2-G spectrum allocation scam is India's biggest ever corruption scandal. Conducted right under the Prime Minister's nose and in defiance of the caution he advised, the scam progressed, enjoying immunity from serious investigation for an inordinately long time. But thanks to a rare combination of factors — the most important of which are public pressure, in part generated by the news media, and judicial intervention — some progress has been made by the Central Bureau of Investigation in bringing some of the corrupt to justice. Mr. A. Raja, ex-Telecom Minister, has been locked up in Tihar Jail and l'affaire Kalaignar TV has been exposed but the two questions on everyone's lips are: What about the role of other Ministers and bigwigs in the telecom mega scandal, which clearly goes back some years before 2007-08? And where has the rest of the money gone?
A Cabinet Minister now in the eye of the storm is Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran, also of the DMK. Relying on material thrown up by independent media investigations, first by The Economic Times (May 21, 2011) and then, in much greater detail, by Tehelka magazine (issue of June 4, 2011) — publications that have not been deterred by legal threats — the main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, has aggressively posed questions to Mr. Maran and the UPA government that can no longer be ignored. The questions relate to specific actions, policy changes, and transactions that took place during Mr. Maran's tenure as Telecom Minister (2004-07) or soon after. They focus on the sudden change of FDI norms in the telecom sector, which raised the FDI limit to 74 per cent; the consequences of this big policy change; the taking of the authority of determining the pricing of spectrum out of the purview of the Group of Ministers on the written insistence of Telecom Minister Maran; the allocation in November 2006 of 14 2-G Unified Access Services Licences for a throwaway price of Rs.1,399 crore to Aircel after the Malaysian business conglomerate, the Maxis Group, acquired a 74 per cent stake in the telecom operator; and subsequent investments by a Maxis subsidiary in Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd and other Maran family-owned companies. The Congress spokesman's response to the effect that it is up to Mr. Maran to answer these questions, and that the Joint Parliamentary Committee could perhaps go into the issues, is the latest example of what WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange characterised, in an interview to The Hindu, as “a habit of covering up allegations of corruption.” The questions raised by the media investigations, and by the BJP, must be answered immediately by the UPA government and the Prime Minister — and the whole matter must be speedily investigated, without fear or favour.
Keywords: Dayanidhi Maran, 2G spectrum scam, Maxis Group, UPA government
COMMENTS:
I am unable to understand when people say,"notwithstanding the Prime Minister's undisputed personal financial integrity".I have been trying,in vain,to explain to my conscience this personal financial integrity.
If by personal financial integrity you mean that Manmohan Singh has not amassed wealth disproportionate to his income,then in this country of more than a billion people there will be undoutedly millions of individuals who will have undisputed personal financial integrity.But when it comes to the Prime Minister of India that falls short of the target and only personal financial integrity counts to nothing.
Just take the example of much hyped Lokpal bill and now the government wants the PM, CJI and other ministers out of its purview.
If these are the views of Mr Manmohan Singh then he is as guilty as others and if these are not his views this country does not need a PM of such a personal financial integrity who has been reduced to nought!
from: afftab
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 00:21 IST
The guity must be punished. For too long, politicians and officials have defrauded the country of thousands of crores of rupees. Corruption has become so pervasive that many politicians belonging to the opposition are also tainted and as a result political opponents have remained largely silent.
from: krishna
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 00:47 IST
What India needs is a Prime Minister who is vibrant and vigilant, not dormant and diffident as Dr.Manmohan Singh has been. We, the citizens of India, are tired of his apologetical attitude.
from: ravi anbil
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 00:51 IST
The statements made by both Sonia Gandhi and PM are to be believed, they have to ask Dayanidhi Maran to resign and request CBI to investigate and report to the Government. If they try to delay or sidetrack the issue people will lose faith in all the investigations on 2G and other related scams.After seeing the Election results in Tamil Nadu Congress has to be very serious in dealing with Corruption otherwise they will have very difficult position in future elections.Soniaji and PM have to act boldly with out further delay.
from: Narayanan Krishnan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 01:05 IST
As in the case of Julius Caesar’s wife Pompeia, a public servant “must be above reproach” (i.e., without even the implication of impropriety). [Caesar divorced Pompeia, who was accused of adultery. Although he stated that he believed in her innocence, he reputedly stated, “I thought my wife ought not even to be under suspicion.” In Ramayana, Rama made Sita to walk through fire to prove her innocence to the world.] Unfortunately most politicians ignore the history/epics.
from: Kanchi N. Gandhi
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 04:06 IST
When PM gives a commitment he should stand to it. Even if Mr Maran
pleads innocence he should step down to prove that.
from: G RAJENDRAN
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 05:02 IST
All the papers and magazines ( including your paper) in Tamil Nadu did not dare to write about 2G scam ! what a change
from: S M Krishnan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 05:30 IST
A political party founded on lofty ideals of social justice in Tamil Nadu and a national party that prides itself in getting independence to the nation face an allegation of corruption day in and day out.
What has been the response from the parties concerned is an attitude of 'so what' and that is irritating to the core.
Especially the party spokesperson of the Congress (the DMK does not have one now that Kanimozhi is also in jail)'s contempt for the press persons and the people of the country when he said that it was for Maran to explain, speaks volums about the respect that these worthies have the press and the people.
Had it not been for the media and some public spirited individuals, the entire 2G scam would not have come out of the closet at all.
Let Smt.Gandhi speak-up directly probably via a press conference, instead of mouthing some empty verbiage through spokespersons, to clear the stand that the party and the government have taken on corruption.
Probably that is too much to ask.
from: Amaruvi Devanathan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 05:36 IST
There is a definite pattern in the behaviour of Dayanidhi Maran and A.Raja with regards to allocation of spectrum , especially on the very critical pricing aspect of it. Both of them have been particular that the pricing aspect has to be out of the GOM purview and as usual took our 'Honest PM' and the Nation for good jolly ride.
It is now beyond doubt that the letter written by Maran to MMS to have the pricing out of the Cabinet decision is not born out any concern for the slow growth of the Telecom sector or in the larger public interest , but it was well-enacted plan to get investments , which can only be treated as a bribe from the Malaysian Telecom major Maxis, to the family owned Sun Group.
So, fellow Indians, be wary of any Minister working over-time or showing undue diligence and dynamism at work.
As the Editorial concludes, PM must answer the Nation now and order an enquiry which must be expressely done.In the meantime, as BJP and Ms.Jaya ,and am sure the vast majority of Indians believe, Maran must step down immediately.
from: K.S.Ranganathan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 06:17 IST
This editorial ends with "the whole matter must be speedily investigated, without fear or favour". Let us hope the investigating agencies and the courts have this in mind and act accordingly so that justice is delivered on time. (Justice delayed is justice denied.)
from: Dr. Jai Ram
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 06:37 IST
This exercise is a sheer waste of time. Methods and means of sacking the UPA government must be found and implemented asap.If need be let us have a nation wide revolution to throw them out. It is much too much and how long can we sit and hear news about scam after scam.
from: S N IYER
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 06:43 IST
I welcome your editorial comments on the Maran episode. When the Telecom Ministry has been given to DMK, it was treated as the private property of the DMK. And the PM kept mum when improprieties were reported. Not only Maran, but also PM owes an explanation to the nation.
from: G.Naryanaswamy
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 06:58 IST
The corruption in Indian politics is at its peak. But the the judicial action against ministers like A.raja and Kanimozhi gives a little hope and make us believe that there is some hope that these corrupt ministers and other public officers will be punished.But this is a very critical time and we should have faith in democracy and Indian judicial system.
from: harish sharma
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 07:03 IST
Maran had always been serving in the interests of SUN and it is a popular joke in the public domain that he is the Minister for SUN Network and not just Telecom / Information. All policy statements ensured that SUN was the first beneficiary.
from: mouli
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 07:13 IST
What looks surprising to me is do these political leaders think that citizens of India are blind and as far as UPA government is concerned while Sonia and Manhoman ji issued bold statements it appears to be clear result of public pressure and no steps are taken in order to curb corruption.
from: Dheeraj
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:00 IST
"notwithstanding the Prime Minister's undisputed personal financial integrity"
I am finding the above assertion difficult to buy. Morality is higher than any other form of integrity, isn't it? Of what use is "personal financial integrity", when hard earned tax payer money is being swindled under this PM's watch! This is especially when less than 5% of Indian citizens pay taxes! I wish The Hindu does not condone the moral responsibility of this PM on account of his "personal this and that integrity".
Leadership has to be measured by moral responsibility of the person at the helm! Unless of course he is not at the helm and is only a proxy!
from: P.S. Swaminathan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:01 IST
How one can believe the UPA when your partners are corrupt. Vilas Rao Deshmukh is still in your ministery even after slammed by the supreme court to drop him from the ministery. What about the politicians named in the stamp paper scam. Any action? No. It's all fuss nothing else.
from: Vasant Rao
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:05 IST
In the central government two things stand out in recent months, one is the detached attitude of congress party in its response to massive corruption under its nose. With the guilty making a beeline to the Tihar central jail Congress response has been the same "the law will take its own course"; as if to give the public a sense that the party is no way responsible for the actions of ministers under its regime. Second is how can a PRIME minister not know about the mind boggling corruption?
DMK is just a platform for like minded people whose only goal is to rob the country; tomorrow it will be another party. Indian citizens have shown that we are united when it comes to fighting this cancer and have shown it in Tamil Nadu, we can very well show it during central elections.
from: Suresh Kumar
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:05 IST
Your Editorial was good to read.In the past two years, UPA 2 has achieved only Scams ,Scandals and Corruption allegations .Among all the Political Parties our long standing (only for the name sake)Congress Party is known for its corruption attitude which has been proved in the recent Giant Episodes. Basically none of the politician has got the interest to develop the country, particularly the common man's status. Earlier Raja was telling that he is innocent,but his innocence was not accepted by the CBI.Maran is also telling the same thing after 50 hours. Will his innocence be proved? All these days people are mum, and today they wake up. Singh's administration should explain to the People of India.
K.Ragavan.
from: K.Ragavan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:12 IST
Transparency, Accoutability and Probity, everything is seen and come to light in scams. These are the words in the dictionary and not practised by the UPA or any Govt.
from: VasantRao
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:14 IST
You say that "the whole matter must be speedily investigated, without fear or favour" ~ why? The matter has already been investigated by the CBI in 2007 itself!
from: K Raajaram
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:26 IST
A bold editorial when TV channels of Tamil Nadu are even not mentioning this news in detail.Such has been the stranglehold of SUN empire on Tamil Nadu media.
It also transpires that Maran tweaked the very rules which were thrown at Aircel under Sivasankaran, after he sold the company to Maxis. Hindustan Times has brought this information.
It is refreshing to note that Hindu has been in the forefront of the anti- corruption crusade in the 2G scam.
It would be interesting to note any Wikileaks on 2G scam-Can the Hindu bring it out to the public domain?
from: Sankar
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:34 IST
I am at a loss to understand why the UPA continues to involve itself in the cover-up tactics in sale of 2G spectrum allocation? When the silence of the Congress party brings more doubt on the shadow deal. The PM is seen nowhere when the nation is facing a battalion of controversies. PM's silence sounds bad.
from: Sravana Ramachandran
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 08:38 IST
Mr Maran is a highly literate individual & will surely understand the word "nexus". Under Indian Judicial System, a person is innocent until proved guilty {beyond all reasonable doubt}. But, in this instance there are nothing but doubts and Mr Maran's explanation/s sound very very weak. IE carries a news item stating that the jilted party has already given some statements to CBI under the advice of his American Counsel; the dealys of over 2 years in - finally - not allotting the Telecom Licences to AIRCEL, the 100% owner then selling off his 100% shareholding to a foreign party {74%} & local investors {26%}, then - hey presto - the Telecom Licences of not only the circles asked for BUT 7 additional circles to the same AIRCEL but under different owners, within a very short period, that 74% owner investing Rs. 800 or 700 or 600 Crores in a SUN TV group company, Mr maran now claiming that he is not a shareholder in any group company etc., are events that dwarfs the Rs. 214 Crore l'affaire Kalaignar TV scam that has already put several top persons behind the Tihar Jail Bars! Dr Manmohan Singh has to take the call - NOW - and the least he can do is to ask for Maran's resignation till Mr maran is tested under the judicial process & found guilty OR OTHERWISE. Any delay here citing coalition dharma will severly impinge upon "the Prime Minister's undisputed personal financial integrity" - your phrases here!!
from: R RAJAGOPAL
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 09:25 IST
Will anyone believe that the PM and his cabinet were not involved in (1)the sudden change of FDI norms in the telecom sector, which raised the FDI limit to 74 per cent (2) the taking away of the authority of determining the pricing of spectrum from the purview of the Group of Ministers on the written insistence of Telecom Minister Maran and (3)the allocation in November 2006 of 14 2-G Unified Access Services Licences for a throwaway price of Rs.1,399 crore to Aircel? Not only Minister Maran but also the PM on behalf of himself and his government has to explain how all this happened. Unless convincing answers are forthcoming from him, one doesn't have to explain what conclusion the public will come to on the murky affair.
from: K.Vijayakumar
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 09:34 IST
“ The questions raised by the media investigations, and by the BJP, must be answered immediately by the UPA government and the Prime Minister — and the whole matter must be speedily investigated, without fear or favour.”
Noble expectations! But no such thing will happen from the present Government.
In 1931, speaking in the House of Commons of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, Winston Churchill recounted how, as a child, he had been:
taken to the celebrated Barnum's Circus which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities, but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one described as "The Boneless Wonder." My parents judged that that spectacle would be too revolting and demoralizing for my youthful eyes, and I have waited fifty years to see the boneless wonder sitting on the Treasury Bench.
Today we can see the new boneless wonder in the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He is universally acclaimed as upright man. But it does not mean being upright he will do no damage. If l'affaire Raja is any indication, he will do all he can to defend the indefensible.
from: N.G. Krishnan
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 10:00 IST
Another great piece of ediotorial and all along I have been under the false impression that somehow The Hindu which was forefront in exposing the Bofors scam about 25 years back,has not been aggressive in doing its investigative part in reporting let alone unearthing the huge 2G scam, but today I stand corrected in my view. Mr.Maran should come clean by subjecting himself to the due proceedings instead of gagging the media through empty legal notices. The PM on his part, should forthwith ask for Mr.Maran's resignation given the degree of improbity allegedly indulged in by Mr.Maran in the allocation of spectrum to Maxis company.
from: Venkat
Posted on: Jun 2, 2011 at 10:17 IST
JPC inquiry should be held to uncover truth about benefits to Maran's family businesses in Chennai when Maran was Telecom minister.
from: kaveri
Posted on: Jun 3, 2011 at 14:54 IST
You folks think 2G is the biggest nationwide scandal "un-earthed" ever? That may be true, but if we take out "un-earthed", welcome to TN politics. In my fantasy, if I count the loss to exchequer because of AIADMK and DMK's perpetual administrations, I would be running out of numbers in mainframes. Of course I don't have proof for any of that, but as an ordinary middle-class citizen, I know how much bribe is expected to get each thing done in TN. Common things like vehicle licensing, traffic violations, passport administration, ration shops (despite the recent claim by Hon. Chief minister), real estate are no exceptions.
But as always, who am I and what change could I possibly bring in? Think this is height of frustration? Welcome to my world.
from: Bharani
Posted on: Jun 3, 2011 at 15:42 IST
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