{"id":10409,"date":"2012-06-15T23:59:00","date_gmt":"2012-06-15T23:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/2012\/06\/it-is-incorrect-to-assume-that-nothing\/"},"modified":"2020-05-24T22:24:34","modified_gmt":"2020-05-24T16:54:34","slug":"it-is-incorrect-to-assume-that-nothing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/it-is-incorrect-to-assume-that-nothing\/","title":{"rendered":"It is incorrect to assume that \u2018nothing can be done to CONTROL CORRUPTION’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vineet Aggarwal<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

\nCorruption<\/b> which is analogous to pollution or disease – exists everywhere – in private as well as public sectors, in rich countries and poor, first world and third world. It is incorrect to assume that \u2018nothing can be done about it\u2019 or \u2018it’s not only our problem and it’s not all our fault alone\u2019. Do we say that because water pollution or AIDS, exist in the world, so we have to live with it and do nothing to reduce\/ eliminate?<\/p>\n

\nEvery country has corruption \u2013 just the varieties, patterns and extent differs. <\/p>\n

\nAt the broadest level, corruption is the misuse of office. Corrupt acts include – bribery, extortion, kickbacks, influence-peddling, nepotism, fraud, speed money, embezzlement and other forms of illicit behavior. Most \u2018Systems\u2019 can withstand some corruption. But when corruption becomes the norm, its effects are crippling.
\nFor example – Corruption in the judicial system, property rights, and banking\/ credit – devastates economic and political development. <\/p>\n

\nWhereas issues such as allowing polluters continue to pollute the rivers, hospitals extorting patients, or schools exploiting parents for admissions \u2013 is environmentally and socially corrosive. <\/p>\n

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Systematic corruption<\/b> is one of the principal reasons why the most underdeveloped parts of our planet stay that way. \u2018Systematic Attack\u2019 is needed on the \u2018Systematic Corruption\u2019. Neither free markets nor coalition governments will succeed – if the institutions of the private and public sectors are riddled with systematic corruption. Experience teaches us that broad social changes, as well as focused anti-corruption efforts, can make a big difference. <\/p>\n

\nC=M+D-A. When someone has power (monopoly (M)) over a service and also has the discretion (D) to decide whether or not you receive it and how much you get, and is not accountable (A) \u2013 this combination generates Corruption (C). Monopolies must be reduced or carefully regulated. Official discretion must be documented and clarified i.e. Transparency must be enhanced. The probability of conviction within stipulated time must increase, and the penalties for corruption (for both givers and takers) must be severe. <\/p>\n

\nIt is time to give shock to the \u2018corrupt equilibrium\u2019 (where rulers and top civil servants and some private companies gain, but society loses) with specific focus on reforming the system, combined with great political sensitivity and strategy, people support and whole-hearted participation. International cooperation can also make a big difference. For example, if Swiss banks mandate the depositors to furnish suitable proof of \u2018Where\u2019 the money came from, then the ill-gotten deposits (black money) won\u2019t be able to stashed, tracking it down becomes easier, and accountability established. This is just one example of how the First World purports corruption in the Third World.
\nIndia is amongst the most corrupt governments in the world and tops the list for black money in the entire world. At least 50% of Indians have had first-hand experience of paying bribes or influence peddling to successfully get jobs done in public office. Taxes and bribes are common across the state borders. \u2018Transparency International\u2019 estimates that truckers pay annually US$5 billion in bribes and found that working with India’s civil servants was a \u2018slow and painful\u2019 process. India still ranks in the bottom quartile of developing nations in terms of the ease of doing business, and compared to China and other lower developed Asian nations, the average time taken to secure the clearances for a startup or to invoke bankruptcy is much greater.<\/p>\n

\nAnother serious problem is \u2018Criminalization\u2019 of Indian politics<\/b>. More than \u00be of the Indian Parliament members are facing or have faced criminal charges – including human trafficking, immigration rackets, embezzlement, rape and even murder. Should they be sitting in the Parliament and governing us. At state level, situation is often worse with Uttar Pradesh taking the lead in the number of tainted ministers.<\/p>\n

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Black money in politics<\/h3>\n

According to the data provided by the Swiss Banking Association Report – Indians are the largest depositors of illegal money in Swiss banks and India has more black money than the rest of the world combined. Indian Swiss bank account assets are worth 13 times the country\u2019s national debt. The recent scams involving unimaginably big amounts of money, such as the 2G spectrum scam, are well known. It is estimated that more than trillion dollars are stashed away in foreign havens, while 80% of Indians earn less than 2$ per day and every second child is malnourished. It seems as if only the honest people are poor in India and want to get rid of their poverty by education, emigration to cities, and immigration, whereas all the corrupt ones, like Hasan Ali Khan are getting rich through scams and crime. The amount which he has embezzled in a year – is enough to fund the national drinking water project in all the six lakh (600,000) villages in India for the next 10 years.
\nNo wonder India is a rich country filled with poor people.<\/p>\n

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Black money in Land and property (real estate)<\/h3>\n

Officials often steal state property. Mafia Raj consisting of municipal and other government officials, elected politicians, judicial officers, real estate developers and law enforcement officials, acquire, develop and sell land in illegal ways.<\/p>\n

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Black money in Tendering processes and awarding contracts<\/h3>\n

Government officials having discretionary powers in awarding contracts engage in preferential treatment for selected bidders and display negligence in quality control processes \u2013 example is CWG.
\nSeveral state funded construction activities in India, such as road building, are dominated by construction mafias, consisting of corrupt public works officials, materials suppliers, politicians and construction contractors. Shoddy construction and material substitution result in roads and highways being dangerous, which are simply washed away in monsoons. <\/p>\n

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Black money in Medicine<\/h3>\n

Corruption is rampant in Government Hospitals, in the form of non availability of medicines (or fake medicines), getting admission, consultations with doctors and availing diagnostic services. There have been recent cases of diversion of medical supplies from government hospitals and clinics as well as supply and distribution of medicines of inferior quality.
\nSome hospitals are charging extra amounts from rich people. The unfair nexus between the insurance companies and hospitals is obvious. They force the patients to get treated only in specific list of hospitals.<\/p>\n

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Black money in getting even the Death Certificates<\/h3>\n

Grieving families are often asked in Government-run offices to pay bribes to obtain the Death Certificate.<\/p>\n

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Black money in Transportation<\/h3>\n

Officials who oversee transportation regulations, safety norms, traffic violations engage in rent seeking activity. Typically a lenient treatment for an offending driver or vehicle is accompanied by expectation of a bribe. India has multiple jurisdictions for vehicular laws as well as overlapping laws at the central government and state government level which worsens bureaucratic complications. This leads to facilitation payments to accelerate or avoid the routine government processes.<\/p>\n

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Black money in Judiciary<\/h3>\n

Judicial corruption in India is attributable to factors such as delays in the disposal of cases, shortage of judges and complex procedures. Recent property scam involving son-in-law of the former CJI of India K G Balakrishnan.<\/p>\n

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Black money in Armed forces<\/h3>\n

Selling defense stores items in the open market is rampant. High profile scandals such as – \u2018Sukhna land\u2019, \u2018Adarsh housing scam\u2019 has shaken public faith in the country’s military even when large sums are being spent on modernizing the armed forces. This shows the nexus between the armed forces, bureaucracy and the politicians in the embezzlement of government property.<\/p>\n

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Black money in Police<\/h3>\n

Even lodging a FIR or reporting a theft can not be done without paying bribe to police officials. Victims are encouraged, even threatened for not filing an official complaint. If a case somehow gets registered, the police usually do not take any timely action.
\nDespite State prohibitions against torture and custodial misconduct by the police, torture is widespread in police custody, which is a major reason behind deaths in custody. The police often torture innocent people until a ‘confession’ is obtained to save influential and wealthy offenders. The main reason is the lack of accountability of the police. <\/p>\n

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Black money in Media<\/h3>\n

Media gets involved through paid news and sometimes unethical support to corrupt to increase their TRPs.<\/p>\n

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Components of an Anti-Corruption Strategy:<\/h3>\n

1) Deep fry the \u201cbig fish”:<\/b> There are many corruption cases “pending” which have been set aside for reasons ranging from political sensitivity to corrupted judiciary. These cases should be pushed forward, or the Government should quickly attempt to identify a few big tax evaders, a few big bribe givers and a few high-level government bribe takers. Since a campaign against corruption can too often become a campaign against the opposition, the fist big fish that are fried should be from the party-in-power.<\/p>\n

\n2) Involve people:<\/b> Citizens are fertile sources of information about \u2018Where\u2019 corruption incubates. Consult the citizens via systematic surveys, hot lines, public rallies (Weekly Durbars) and ongoing educational programs (Workshops). Protect the anonymity of the whistleblowers. Self-policing by the private sector, especially when supported with international investigative capabilities (and credibility), enable businesses say “no” to bribes.<\/p>\n

\n3) Showcase ongoing \u2018Anti Corruption\u2019 efforts:<\/b> Carry out “vulnerability assessments” of public and private institutions. This is something like \u2018Polio\u2019 campaigns – which emphasize prevention and regular participation.<\/p>\n

\n4) Improve incentives:<\/b> Performance measurement and the overhauling of pay schemes in the public sector \u2013 is the need of the hour. It is also important that such recognition and incentives be awarded promptly and in-public.
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\n5) Strengthen the \u2018Right to Information\u2019 act:<\/b> This act requires the government officials to furnish information requested by citizens within stipulated timelines or face punitive action. Computerization of services helps reduce corruption if implemented in a proper manner. <\/p>\n

\n6) Bring the \u2018Jan Lokpal\u2019 bill:<\/b> Septuagenarian Hazare’s call for a bill creating an independent ombudsman with court-like powers that could prosecute ministers, bureaucrats and judges. An amendment to the Constitution has been proposed to implement the Lokayukta uniformly across Indian States.
\nThe CVC, is independent but has no power to investigate cases, and can only advise not enforce, while the CBI can investigate, but is not independent because it requires government permission to launch probes and prosecute.
\nThe \u2018Jan Lokpal\u2019 bill also covers important aspect of protecting the whistleblowers who play a major role in the fight against corruption. Assassination of Satyendra Dubey is not to be forgotten. Indian courts are regularly ordering probe in cases of murders or so-called suicide of several whistle blowers. One of the latest case of such murder is of V Sasindran Company Secretary of Palakkad based Malabar Cement Limited, a Government company in Kerala and his two minor children. Kerala High Court ordered CBI probe on 18 February 2011. Initially, CBI showed its unwillingness for probing into such cases citing over-burden as a reason. <\/p>\n

\n7) Anti-Corruption Police and Courts:<\/b> Establish \u2018Special Fast-Track and Fully Empowered\u2019 courts which are more efficient than the traditional Indian courts – with traveling judges and law enforcement agents. <\/p>\n

\n8) Civil sector initiatives<\/b>
\nCivil sector is doing its bit to raise awareness about Corruption related issues and to build anti-corruption platforms. 
\n5th Pillar is one such organization that is promoting the use of Zero Rupee Notes to fight corruption by shaming the officials who ask for bribe.
\nAnother popular initiative is \u2018<\/u>Jaago Re\u2019 from Tata Tea.
\nwww.ekakizunj.com is inspired by Mr. G. R. Khairnar, the erstwhile Mumbai Municipal Deputy Commissioner who is known for his one man fight against corruption.<\/p>\n

Other such initiatives include:<\/b>
\nwww.nobribe.org 
\nwww.indiaagainstcorruption.com 
\nwww.peopleforloksatta.org <\/p>\n

\nReference help from wikipedia.org<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\nI want a corruption free world including myself!<\/h3>\n

<\/u><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

   Vineet Aggarwal Corruption which is analogous to pollution or disease – exists everywhere – in private as well as public sectors, in rich countries and poor, first world and third world. It is incorrect to assume that \u2018nothing can be done about it\u2019 or \u2018it’s not only our problem and it’s not all our fault alone\u2019. Do we say that because water pollution or AIDS, exist in the world, so we have to live with it and do nothing to reduce\/ eliminate? Every country has corruption \u2013 just the varieties, patterns and extent differs. At the broadest level, corruption <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[92,82,1],"tags":[1879,67],"class_list":["post-10409","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-better-india","category-inspiration","category-update","tag-update","tag-views"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10409","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10409"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10409\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62398,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10409\/revisions\/62398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dwarkaparichay.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}