The power of information

A recent example of the power of information is the expensese scandal in the British House of Commons. The British MPs were provided a second house allowance so as to carry out their works in London. As a method to line their pockets, many MPs rigged the system where they stayed within the rules but probably violated the spirit of the rules by claiming reimbursements for items like dog food, swimming pool maintaineance etc. I am not clear about the back story but the MPs agreed upon public pressure to publish these expense items in July. The Telegraph got hold of all these expenses and over the last week have published them in their newspaper shaming the concerned Member of Parliaments. The result is that many MPs have agreed to return the super-fulous expenses that have been claimed and call for a new system for reimbursement where there are more checks and balances. The hue and cry generated in the public and the corressponding public pressure seems to suggest that in future there will not be a single MP who will try to claim for expenses against the spirit of the rules for the fear of being exposed and shamed across the countries.

This is truly an example where the information has played a critical role in getting public servants to behave in a manner that upholds the dignity of their offices. In India after passing of the Right to Information bills, we do have instances where the information has helped to get justice for commonn people but I hope that the events that unfolded in England would be repeated in India where certainly the belief is that Members of Honorable Parliament are certainly not honorable. Who is going to take the lead?