Open letter to leaders on corruption & governance deficit

A group of 14 prominent and well-regarded citizens has written an " Open Letter To Our Leaders" to express alarm at the "governance deficit" in "government, business and institutions", and underline the "urgent need" to tackle the "malaise of corruption, which is corroding the fabric of our nation." 

Some quotes from the letter:

"out of several urgent steps to tackle corruption, the most critical is to make the investigative agencies and law-enforcing bodies independent of the Executive... in order to ensure citizens that corruption will be most severely dealt with".

"In the last few months, the country has witnessed eruption of a number of egregious events, thanks to an active media eagerly tracking malfeasance. There are, at present, several loud and outraged voices, in the public domain, clamouring on these issues, which have deeply hurt the nation,"

"Widespread discretionary decision-making has been routinely subjected to extraneous influences... The judiciary is a source of some reassurance but creation of genuinely independent and constitutionally constituted regulatory bodies, manned by persons who are judicially trained in the concerned field, would be one of the first and important steps to restore public confidence."

"We are alarmed at the widespread governance deficit almost in every sphere of national activity covering government, business and institutions,"

"corruption is possibly the biggest issue corroding the fabric of our nation, the malaise needs to be tackled with a sense of urgency, determination and on a war footing."

"we are concerned with the general deterioration in the overall value system of the nation,

"have abiding belief and commitment in India's potential and prospects as a successful democracy."

"It is widely acknowledged that the benefits of growth are not reaching the poor and marginalized sections adequately due to impediments to economic development. This is because of some critical issues like environmental concerns and differences in perspectives between central and state governments,"

"those at the helm must urgently restore the self-confidence and self-belief of Indians in themselves and in the state."

The group has called for the setting up of "effective and fully empowered Lok Ayuktas" in every state and "early introduction of the Lok Pal Bill at the national level for the purpose of highlighting, pursuing and dealing with corruption issues and corrupt individuals". 

The group is also implicitly critical of the opposition for blocking almost the entire Parliament session gone by. It says elected representatives need to "distinguish between dissent and disruption". 
(from newpapers)