Is Lokpal Bill the answer to our problem of corruption?

I accept that there is corruption. One just has to ask A. Raja and Suresh Kalmadi about it. I also endorse Lokpal Bill which seeks to establish a body that will be free from government control and that would investigate corruption charges. I certainly believe that Lokpal at the centre and Lokayukta in each state will empower the citizens against corruption. No wonder politicians are scared of such a Bill because they would then have to be accountable!

But can the rule of law on its own root out corruption? I have serious reservations. Stringent rule of law can arrest illegal practices, but it cannot arrest immoral practices. If it's only the rule of law, decline in corruption would be due to the fear of being in jail. But as long as one is not caught, corrution can go on. Alas, there are many 'corrupt' ways a politician can deal things which can never be caught as corrupt practices by the rule of law. For example, when Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa was charged of making out-of-turn land allotment to his sons and daughter, the BJP chief defended the CM saying that his acts were not illegal, though they may be immoral. So the 'immoral' CM was not prosecuted nor was he made to step down. But can't the same argument be extended to developmental projects which the government launches? I have given this project to this constituency though that constituency deserves more! Well, “it's okay to be immoral if one is not being illegal” will not actually work if we are serious about pursuing common good.

So, besides a stringent rule of law like Lokpal Bill we need moral teachings as well to weed out corruption and bring about human flourishing. But where from do we derive these moral norms that will provide us a sturdy foundation for human flourishing? That's a 1.72 lakh crore rupees worth question!