Spotlight
New Delhi, 9 December 2022
Corruption In Public Life
RISING, NEEDS URGENT HALT
By Dr OisheeMukherjee
Corruption has for long been a
subject of much debate and ways and means of its eradication have been outlined
by various organisations and experts. But unfortunately, political corruption
in India has shown an upwards trend with centralization of power at the helm. Thus,
it can very well be said corruption in public life is a means of obtaining
personal benefit through illicit means and the abuse of public office and
property.
This is demonstrated by the
increasing wealth of political personalities all over the country. A few days
back the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) survey revealed that the
average assets of the candidates for the first phase of Gujarat polls have gone
up by 44 percent this time from Rs 2 crore in 2017 to Rs 2.9 crore this year.
Party-wise, the average assets increased from Rs 10 crore to Rs 13.4 crore for
the BJP, from Rs 8 crore for Congress to Rs 8.4 crore and from Rs 1 crore to Rs
2 crore for AAP. The repeat candidates have reported a significant rise in
their assets. This clearly reveals that being in power helps in increasing
wealth and it is very much the case of India.
Another form of corruption has been
the seizure of hundreds of crores of rupees in the homes of politicians in West
Bengal, leading to possibly the biggest educational scam in recent years
pertaining to the appointment of school teachers, non-teaching staff in schools
etc. in the state. It needs to be pointed out here that all this has come to
light only due to a meritorious and bold judge of the Calcutta High Court. The
education system it seems has collapsed because the political class and even some
professors and teachers are going all out to make that extra buck. It is also
in this state that a top-level politician of the ruling party, engaged in cow
smuggling to neighbouring Bangladesh and related illegal activities, was found
to turn black money into white through forcibly grabbing the first prize
lottery ticket from the genuine winner.
Thus, corruption in public life sadly
has been very much manifest as politicians are indulging in unethical behaviour
and there is abuse of public office and property. Similarly, private-sector
corruption is all about making unjust profits by exploiting employees and
consumers while skirting government regulations. It may not be wrong to say
that corruption exists in every sector and at every level of government in the
country. It has been manifest that the number of people in the public and
private sectors employing corrupt methods and unfair methods has been on the
rise and reports have confirmed it.
As per a research conducted by
Transparency International way back in 2005, over 62 percent of Indians have
paid a bribe to a public official at some time in their lives. Another report
from 2008 found that about half of Indians had first-hand experience paying
bribes or using contacts to get services from government agencies. The Corruption
Perception Index (CPI) ranked the country 78th out of 180 countries in 2018,
indicating a steady decline in public perception of corruption.
India’s government, whichever it may
be, and political parties are notorious in corruption scandals. The political
class is entangled in corruption for a number of causes, which include the
social fibre changing, a lack of good education, sincerity and work culture, lack
of genuine involvement with the masses and little incentive to work honestly
and diligently. In India, anyone can enter politics and form a political party,
like perhaps other countries, and need not have educational qualifications as
these are not part of the eligibility criteria. Ministers have been appointed
who have never had school education and are not well-versed with the politics
and the political system. Besides, there is a rise in number of people who are
well-known political leaders who have been convicted of a crime.
Only candidates who meet minimum
educational requirements and have a clean criminal record should be allowed to
run for public office. After winning the election, the candidates should go
through some form of training to be able to handle numerous roles and
responsibilities that are given to them. A well-educated and well-trained
individual in all probability could lead the country more effectively than
others. For everything, there must be a set policy, and ministers’ activities
must be watched by the higher authorities and ensure they are going by the rule
book.
Corruption is less frequent in a
society where people are educated, and the awareness level is high. The vast
majority of people still does not recognise the value of education, which
contributes to an increase in corruption, which is also a result of unbridled
greed and increased market competitiveness. People have become exceedingly
selfish, jealous and arrogant in recent years, all as a result of induction of
materialistic values in society.
Corruption has well-established
causes. It is believed that identifying the root of an issue is half the battle
won. Rather than debating the issue repeatedly, it is now time to seek for
answers. The government and civil society must rid India of corruption. It is
easier said than done. Apart from the thrust on education, there’s a need for reigniting
value system, which has over decades got eroded. We as a people need to fight
corruption and not fall a prey to unscrupulous tendencies, which are rampant in
society.
People and those in power, who
engage in corrupt practices such as receiving and offering bribes, using
unlawful means to build their enterprises, acquiring black money, and other
advantages that they do not have legal access to, must face harsh penalties.
They must be made accountable. Sting operations have in the past been
successful in exposing the corrupt– whether politicians, bureaucrats,
businessmen or individuals in various industries, and should be encouraged. These
operations will not only expose corrupt individuals, butshall deter others from
engaging in such behaviour. Each of us must accept it as a personal obligation
to follow the proper procedure for getting things done rather than paying
bribes to get things done or avoid fines.
There hangs a big question mark
whether corruption can be reduced. There is a need for certain measures that
could be taken for which strong political will and determination is necessary
to transform the country. Only raising education levels may not help, unless
the judicial system is strengthened at all levels to take up cases of corrupt
practices and those indulging in fast track mode. Dispensation of justice must
be prompt as it will act as a deterrent. The Election Commission must have its
machinery in place too and ensure that its officers are not pliable or coerced.
While our political leaders and
governments talk of transparency and accountability, the ground reality is
different. Corruption is eating into the system. For an emerging economy like
India, it stands in the way of a balanced development and inclusive growth. For
if becoming rich is the aim, it is the masses who suffer. ---INFA
Copyright, India News & Feature
Alliance)
(The writer is a maxillofacial
surgeon working as Associate Consultant in AMRI Hospitals, Kolkata)
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