While Anna Hazare’s movement is taking up issues at the national level, there are signs of changes at the level where government meets the citizens in the daily life.  These changes are small but encouraging. 

Some examples:

Right to Information Act:  Lawmakers, while passing this piece of legislation, would not have anticipated its collateral benefits (or damage depending on which side you are on) that this would bring.  The issue of 2G scam came to light when information surfaced through an RTI request!  Now the middle class in India has started believing, that armed with this Act, they can hold officials accountable, if the services are denied/delayed.  An acquaintance of mine confided that he got electrical connection to his home when he threatened the officer who was sitting over the file with action under RTI.  In an interesting anecdote, a man in Chandigarh, who was being blackmailed by some police personnel citing a false FIR, filed an RTI request, found out the truth and the perpetrators are now behind bars!

Clearly this Act can help not only reduce instances of corruption, but also in removing a sense of helplessness as well.

Right to Services Act:  Recently Punjab state has passed a legislation granting citizens right of services in respect of 67 services at municipal level in a fixed time. Its violation is punishable.  The sharp sting of corruption is worst at the grassroots level where the victim is directly affected.  Clearly an Act like this will not leave much room for bribe takers to hide in. I am sure other states would soon follow suit.

Recently Mayawati, the Chief Minister UP, fired two of her cabinet ministers when the Lokayukt (Ombudsman at the State level) opened investigations against them. This is probably the first time when Lokayukt’s authority in combating corruption has been upheld.  Is this a fall out from the current movement…maybe!

There are some counter examples too. Rajya Sabha terminated proceeding for impeachment of a Judge of High Court, facing charges of corruption, because the Justice tendered his resignation!!

Technology has been doing its bits too. Till last decade buying a train ticket and reserving a berth was a humiliating experience and meant greasing palms of Ticket Agents. Given the large number of traveling population, this was quite lucrative for the railway staff. Now most reservations are done online virtually eliminating this menace.  

As more citizen services become directly accessible online the specter of corruption will recede in every day life!

Opening up of economy has helped too.  You do not have to pay speed money to get a telephone connection (yes it used to take months and years for a landline till as recent as 15 years ago). You do not get shortchanged now with 100% and not 85% of the fuel you purchased actually got into your tanks.

There are some areas that need urgent attention. Electricity distribution and Metering, Taxation and Law enforcement are some of the major services that need immediate overhaul. Today technology exists to handle the first two easily. Smart meters and reducing use of cash in transactions would be good beginning. Law enforcement requires a basic change in police structure. Is it not surprising that the required qualification of a police constable (who enforces the law) is matriculation!

One would argue that cleaning things up at the bottom of the pyramid would only push the dirt up.  That may be true but it will bring a huge relief to the multitude, make their life easier and give them space to worry about bigger issues.  So long as they are grappling with the daily existence, they willn ot feel well connected to Anna Hazare’s movement of removing corruption in high places.