Action against other persons who figured in the Tehelka documentary seems to be underway. But the basic fact is the Vajpayee government's credibility has been decidedly dented. There is a question-mark against its stability. Such corruption is not unique to India, but there are restrictive arrangements to control such phenomenon in other countries. We must learn from them.
Some suggestions come to mind.
While the details and technical specifications of the items to be purchased by our defence forces should remain confidential, there is no reason why the general procedure governing such purchases within India and particularly from abroad, should not be made transparent and given general publicity. The initial indent and calling for tenders should be the responsibility of a single agency in each branch of the armed forces with the technical and financial side being overseen by designated and publicised officers in the defence ministry. Third and the most important, the middlemen and agents who are engaged in this business should be asked to formally register themselves with the defence ministry, giving full details of their experience, functional background and financial credibility. This information should be in the public domain. This should prevent the phenomenon of subterranean clandestine influence.